GEORGE TOWN (Nov 19): The state government through the Penang Health Department (JKNPP) plans to have more facilities to administer Covid-19 vaccine booster doses in efforts to provide better access for people in the state.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said JKNPP was in the midst of identifying Health Care Organisations (HCOs) that could assist to provide suitable halls for the purpose.

"As of yesterday (Nov 18), 73 private facilities (clinics and hospitals) as well as an HCO with a capacity of over 1,000 shots a day have been operating as booster dose facilities in the state.

"At the same time we need to create more awareness on the need to get the booster dose as only 60% to 70% of people who have been given the appointment through the MySejahtera application turned up for the shot,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Follow our Covid-19 vaccination tracker to see where we are in the race to herd immunity.  

In terms of medical facilities for Covid-19 acute cases, he said as of Thursday, 34% of the beds at Penang Hospital (HPP) and Kepala Batas Hospital were occupied.

"Meanwhile, bed occupancy rate in the intensive care unit (ICU) for Covid-19 patients in the state is at 53% and we are always on standby to face any eventuality," he added.

As for the Covid-19 Low Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC), bed occupancy rate at Mara Centre of Excellence (MEC), Jawi (South Seberang Perai district) is at 17% while the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang PKRC here has been put on standby and would be activated when needed.

On Oct 18 Penang began administering Covid-19 booster shots to frontliners, and this would later be extended to the elderly and those with comorbidities.