What is the vaccination acceptance rate among the Orang Asli community?

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A significant portion of the Orang Asli community has expressed hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination.

Out of 79,041 registration forms received for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, only 15,307 Orang Asli individuals agreed to be vaccinated. This indicates a low acceptance rate, with a substantial 63,734 Orang Asli explicitly declining vaccination. The primary reported reason for this hesitancy is a fear of premature death within two to three years following vaccination.
Low Vaccination Uptake Despite Widespread Outreach

The Deputy Rural Development Minister I, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, highlighted that while forms were distributed to approximately 120,000 eligible Orang Asli, the return of only 79,041 forms suggests a considerable gap in engagement. This low return rate, coupled with the explicit rejections, points to an ongoing challenge in raising vaccination awareness within the community. To date, only 3,018 Orang Asli have actually received the vaccine.
Fear of Adverse Effects Drives Rejection

The prevailing concern among those who rejected the vaccine appears to be a specific fear regarding mortality timelines. Many Orang Asli individuals reportedly declined vaccination due to the belief that they would die within two to three years after receiving the jab. This apprehension is a significant barrier to achieving higher immunisation coverage in the community.
Need for Revised Engagement Strategies

Acknowledging the low awareness and acceptance, the ministry, in conjunction with the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) and other relevant bodies, plans to enhance engagement efforts. This revised strategy aims to provide clearer explanations and address the concerns of the Orang Asli community, with the objective of encouraging more eligible individuals to accept vaccination.

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What is the vaccination acceptance rate among the Orang Asli community?

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