BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 4 (NNN-ANN) – The Brunei government continued rolling out its COVID-19 national vaccination programme yesterday, with the total number of vaccine recipients reaching 14,876.
According to Brunei’s Ministry of Health, since the National Vaccination Programme began, on Apr 3, 14,876 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine, of which 14,526 people have received the first dose, while 350 people have received the second dose.
“At present, the administration of COVID-19 vaccine is still being implemented for Phase One, consisting of frontliners, students studying abroad and senior citizens aged 60 and above,” the ministry said.
“Priority is given to frontliners and especially the elderly because frontliners have a higher risk of being infected and the elderly have a higher risk of getting more severe complications of COVID-19 infection.”
Health Minister, Haji Mohammad Isham, received his second dose of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine injection yesterday.
The minister received his vaccine injection at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, the country’s largest public hospital, along with the permanent secretary, deputy permanent secretary, heads of departments, senior officers, other officers and staff at the Ministry of Health; as well as, officers consisting of frontliners.
The health ministry continues to encourage the public to join the national vaccination programme, saying that, although it is not mandatory to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine, the people and residents of Brunei are still exposed to the risk of transmission of the COVID-19.
“Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective measure to protect oneself, our family and the society from the harmful effects of COVID-19,” the ministry said.
“In the medium and long term, the more people are vaccinated, the higher the level of immunity of the population in this country against the disease becomes. This in turn will be able to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on public and community health,” the ministry added.
Brunei has a population of about 450,000 in 2020. The country reported no new COVID-19 cases yesterday, with the national tally unchanged at 227. 218 patients have recovered and only six active cases are still being treated at the National Isolation Centre.
Brunei recorded 362 days without local COVID-19 infection cases, since May 6, 2020, with only three deaths reported.– NNN-ANN
