KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Health Coalition welcomes the government’s decision to offer free Covid-19 vaccinations to all residents of Malaysia, including undocumented migrants, to achieve herd immunity and health equity.
Still, the coalition said, the government has to convince the public and ensure that people register for the shot, as well as combat vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories.
It said mass public education campaign is needed to educate the public and help them understand the basic science behind the shot to improve health literacy and awareness.
It also urged that the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan be released without delay for public inquiry, as it is better to tackle the people’s concerns and allow them to provide suggestions for improvement.
The coalition said as it will take months to achieve herd immunity, all residents are advised to take precautionary measures and adhere to standard operating procedures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The cabinet had on February 10 decided that all foreigners, including undocumented migrants, residing in the country will get free Covid-19 vaccinations.
Malaysians will still, however, be given priority in the vaccination drive, with the roll-out schedule for foreigners to be announced in due time. – Bernama, February 15, 2021
