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Registration for Covid vaccine jabs to open soon for Malaysians

The government is hoping to achieve 70% herd immunity.

Staff Writers
1 minute read
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The government is hoping to inoculate 40% of the population with the Pfizer vaccine. Photo: AP
The government is hoping to inoculate 40% of the population with the Pfizer vaccine. Photo: AP

Registration for the Covid-19 inoculation drive will open soon, ahead of the arrival of the first vaccines in Malaysia next month.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said the government is targeting 70% herd immunity involving 23 million Malaysians.

Malaysia has ordered 25 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which is currently the only vaccine that has received approval from the the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

Half of that amount will be arriving in late February.

The government is hoping to inoculate 40% of the population with Pfizer.

Putrajaya has also inked deals with other pharmaceutical companies to secure Covid-19 vaccines, including AstraZeneca, Sinovac as well as the multinational Covax Facility.

In an interview with state broadcaster RTM yesterday, Adham said medical frontliners will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by the high-risk group such as those aged 60 and above and with chronic illnesses.

The third phase will cover all members of the public aged 18 and above.

Adham said Malaysia’s Covid-19 immunisation drive is aimed at protecting frontliners, bringing down casulties, achieving herd immunity and breaking the infection chain.

He said a poll by his ministry revealed that 67% of some 212,000 Malaysians agree to be vaccinated against Covid-19, believing in its effectiveness.

He said 17% are unsure, while another 16% would refuse to take the vaccine.

“As of Jan 13, about 32 milliion people worldwide have been injected with the Covid-19 vaccine. This shows the international community’s acceptance.

“But vaccine is not the solution. After getting injected, we must still practise the new norms,” Adham added.