Three media practitioners among 132 frontliners in S'wak vaccinated for Covid-19
Three media practitioners in Sarawak were vaccinated today as part of the first phase of the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme in the state.
The Borneo Post reported that the trio was among the first 132 frontliners who were inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine...
Three media practitioners in Sarawak were vaccinated today as part of the first phase of the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme in the state.
The Borneo Post reported that the trio was among the first 132 frontliners who were inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
They were Utusan Borneo journalist Saibi Gi (photo, above), The Star photographer Zulazhar Sebli and Awani Sarawak journalist Rudy Affendy Khalik.
They were given their jabs at the Kota Samarahan health office this morning.
"As journalists who are always moving on the ground while discharging our daily duties, we do need to be vaccinated at an early stage," Saibi said.
He added: "It's just that my heart was beating a little faster than usual while waiting for my turn for the dose.
"I displayed no sign of abnormality after the jab. There was no pain or dizziness."
Zulazhar told The Borneo Post that he agreed to receive the vaccine under the first phase to set a good example to the community and the media industry.
"The government seems to understand and appreciate the role and responsibility of the media, especially during Covid-19," he said.
The Borneo Post said 13 journalists were selected, through the Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association (FSJA), as the recipients of the first phase of the vaccination programme in the state.
However, Bernama later reported that the selection of the media workers has come into question as they included young FSJA office bearers, while journalists above 60 and with chronic diseases were not considered.
It said for media workers who are not among the 136 who would receive the vaccine as part of the first phase, they would be included later under the second phase for individuals aged 60 and above and those with comorbid diseases, as well as the third phase, for individuals aged between 18 and 60 years old with no chronic illness.
In response to this, Sarawak medical director Dr Chin Zin Hing said the state health department had no role in their selection, and the FSJA should know better who among its 500 members ought to be vaccinated first.
“We only liaise with FSJA but who should be included in the list was entirely up to them,” he was quoted as saying.
