DENGKIL, INDONESIA (July 5): In her enthusiasm to be vaccinated against Covid-19, single mother [email protected] Akaw took her five children to the Orang Asli community’s mobile vaccination center at Balai Raya Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Buah to be inoculated as well. Sela, a 48-year-old cleaner, and her four children, ages 21 to 28, arrived to the mobile facility as early as 9 a.m. for their Sinovac vaccinations.
“I am pleased because, after being vaccinated, we will be able to prevent the disease (Covid-19), and I will feel much more confidence in my ability to work.”
She told Bernama today, “I always encourage my children to get vaccinated because I know it’s important for us.”
P. Kumarasan, 47, who arrived with his wife and brother-in-law, expressed his desire for more Orang Asli to get vaccinated.
“We should all get vaccinated; don’t be afraid; be courageous.” The immunization is thanks to the government,” claimed the guy, who has been married to his Orang Asli wife for over 20 years.
Juli Belat, the Tok Batin of Kampung Sungai Buah, voiced his concern that many Orang Asli continue to resist vaccinations.
Only 106 people came up for immunization appointments today, according to the elder, who administers Kampung Sungai Buah Dalam and Kampung Bukit Tunggul.
He added that at one point, fewer than 20 people agreed to be vaccinated, with the remainder citing fear and a lack of understanding of the need of the Covid-19 vaccine as justifications.
He expressed the hope that a representative from the Ministry of Health may visit the Orang Asli hamlet to explain the immunization and dispel any misgivings.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Rasaki Abdul Majid, a Sepang Orang Asli Development Department officer, said that based on vaccination feedback questionnaires provided throughout the Orang Asli community, many still refuse the vaccine because they do not comprehend its relevance.
He added that out of 2,740 Orang Asli in Sepang district who are eligible for vaccination, only 879 agreed, while 1,861 disagreed, based on the summary of vaccination registration forms.
“This suggests that only 32.1 percent of people have agreed to be vaccinated at this time.” It affects 18 Orang Asli villages in Sepang district,” he said, adding that the department would step up efforts to encourage the Orang Asli people to get vaccinated through various channels, including the Village Development and Security Committees.
Adhif Syan Abdullah, a Dengkil assemblyman who had also undertaken a vaccination survey, claimed the Orang Asli population could get their immunizations by walking in to mobile vaccination centers and manually registering.
“The Orang Asli community’s vaccination program will continue this week with visits to every Orang Asli village in the Sepang region,” he stated./n
