Vaccine sign-ups reach a quarter of targeted Malaysians

Some 25% of Malaysians targeted in the government’s Covid-19 vaccination programme have signed up for the jabs as of today.

Khairy Jamaluddin, the minister in charge of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, said a total of 6.1 million people have registered to receive the vaccines so far.

He also announced a new campaign by the authorities to ensure that those in rural areas are not left out in the vaccination drive.

Under the initiative to be coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency, officers will be sent to rural areas and villages without internet access to manually register recipients.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba meanwhile said financial aid would be given to those who suffer serious side effects due to the vaccine, both Malaysians and foreigners alike.

He said an initial fund of RM10 million would be allocated for such payments.

In a joint press conference with Khairy, he said RM500,000 would be given if recipients die or suffer permanent disability from the jabs, in order to ease the burden of families whose livelihoods are jeopardised.

Those who experience side effects that could require prolonged hospital treatment meanwhile could be compensated up to RM50,000.

The fund will be initiated under the National Disaster Relief Fund, managed by the National Disaster Management Agency.

“This is a proactive step taken by the government to tackle the possibility of side effects from the vaccines,” Adham said.