|
 As more transmissible variants of the virus have driven a surge in
cases in Southeast Asia in recent weeks, authorities have started
offering chances in lucky draws for vaccinations.
In Thailand’s Mae Chaem district in northern Chiang Mai, where most
residents are cattle farmers, authorities launched a cow raffle this
month that is proving to be a hit.
“This is the best gift ever,” said 65-year-old Inkham Thongkham,
upon winning a one-year-old female cow worth 10,000 baht ($320)
after he received his coronavirus vaccine.
Now in its second week and with 27 cows to award, authorities say
the campaign has prompted more than 50% of the 1,400 residents in
the district - many elderly and in high-risk groups - to register
for their vaccines.
Out of Thailand's population of 66 million, just 4.76 million have
received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Many across Asia have been reluctant to get vaccinated, with
widespread disinformation and uncertainty fuelling hesitancy over
safety, efficacy and religious concerns.
In Hong Kong, where the pandemic has largely been kept under control
so far, authorities are concerned that low rates of vaccination
could still leave the Chinese territory susceptible to a virulent
outbreak.
Shopping vouchers, flights, and a new apartment worth HK$10.8
million ($1.4 million) are among the incentives on offer in lucky
draws there for those who have been vaccinated.
Some businesses are taking additional steps, offering paid leave for
those who have been inoculated. One private sports club, though, is
using punishment instead of rewards, instructing its staff to get
vaccinated by the end of June or be denied future bonuses,
promotions and pay rises.
Even in countries hit hard by the coronavirus, such as Indonesia,
authorities have struggled to allay vaccine fears.
[to top of second column] |
 Indonesia has officially
reported more than 1.9 million coronavirus
infections and 53,280 deaths. Recent studies of
blood serum samples, however, show the true
spread of COVID-19 could be 30 times higher.
"I was afraid that if I was vaccinated, I would die immediately ...
Then there was more worrying news that this vaccine contained pork,”
said Asep Saepudin, a 67-year-old resident of Cipanas, in
Indonesia’s West Java province.
Among Indonesian Muslims - who make up more than 85% of the nation's
population - many are worried whether the vaccines are considered
halal, or permissible, by Islam.
Cipanas authorities say it has been especially difficult to persuade
the elderly that the vaccines are safe and halal. As in Thailand,
they have also turned to livestock incentives, offering live
chickens for each senior who gets a shot.
"Elderly people don't want to be vaccinated for various reasons,
some say they want to but don't come, some are even afraid,” said
the local district police chief, Galih Aprian,
“So we reward (their participation) with chickens.”
Data from Indonesia’s ministry of health shows that only 5%, or 8.8
million people, have been fully vaccinated, far fewer than a target
of 181.5 million people by the end of the year.
(Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa in Chiang Mai, Marius Zaharia in
Hong Kong and Heru Asprihanto in West Java; Writing by Kate Lamb;
Editing by Tom Hogue)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content
 |
