Kota Kinabalu: Many Sabahans in a random Daily Express survey said they are adopting a “wait and see” attitude before deciding whether to sign up for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
Some were not aware they could register through the MySejahtera application or other platforms for that matter.
On March 24, Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV) statistics showed Sabah logged the lowest number of registrations at 294,568, which is only 10 per cent of the total population.
Mia Fatimah, 25, a barista, said she knew about NIP but has not registered mainly because she was not sure about the vaccine’s side effects.
She said she will register soon but hoped there would be more details on the side effects.
“I am really not sure right now whether I should or shouldn’t sign up,” she said, adding she will do more research.
For Jodana, 23, a pastry chef, she knew of the immunisation programme and that frontliners will get the vaccine first, to be followed by elderly and ordinary citizens.
“But I have not registered for it yet as I didn’t know that registration can be done via the MySejahtera app.
“I didn’t know there is such a platform for registration because of lack of information. Also it could be due to me not paying enough attention to news on Covid-19.
“Now that I am aware, I will definitely register for the programme,” she said.
Danny, 25, a chef and a barista, said he was well aware of NIP but has yet to register.
“I believe the vaccine will help contain the pandemic, but I also need to wait and see if there are major side effects. Hence, I don’t want to rush for the vaccine before knowing fully well about it,” he said.
Kean, 24, a sales representative, said he knew about NIP but forgot to register and has plans to do so.
Winnie, 22, on the other hand, said she didn’t know that she could register using the MySejahtera app.
Chin Thau On, 58, an insurance agent, said he knew about the immunisation programme but has yet to register because he wants to see the response of others who have already received the vaccination.
“I want to see whether there are any side effects…I am concerned about the side effects because of my age.”
Winnie, 22, said she didn’t know she could register using the MySejahtera app.
Elip, 71, said she knew of the vaccination programme but has not yet registered because her employer has not given any instruction to register.
David Vun Sin, 71, said he always heard about the programme on television but has not registered.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to register because even the number of individuals vaccinated reaches 80-90 per cent, the standard operating procedure (SOP) will still remain.
“Whether there is a vaccine or not will remain the same because the SOP remains strict,” he said.
Sharil Sinpan, 24, said he did not know about NIP.
“I have not registered, I have heard about it but my employer has not said anything about it.
“Later, if the ‘boss’ tells me to, I will register,” he said.
