PUTRAJAYA – The government today announced the setting up of the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) to manage the implementation of the national vaccination drive.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also coordinating minister for the inoculation programme, told a virtual press conference that he will lead the task force, which will report to the cabinet.
He said the CITF management team will be supervised by two co-directors, namely Health Deputy Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Keong and army deputy chief Lt General Datuk Mohammad Ab Rahman.
“The CITF emphasises integrated actions by the various ministries and government agencies to ensure that the immunisation programme is implemented neatly, smoothly and properly, so as to achieve its objectives.
“The National Security Council (NSC); Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; and, Health Ministry will act as the CITF secretariat.”
He said CITF held its first meeting yesterday to coordinate in detail the vaccination campaign’s scope, work structure and overall planning.
The meeting saw NSC tabling a proposal to have a CITF command centre at the national, state and district levels, as well as a coordination mechanism to link the various levels.
Through the task force, said Khairy, health services involving the management of vaccine logistics, vaccine registration, identification of recipient category, post-vaccination monitoring, vaccine administration, and management of vaccination centres at Health Ministry facilities will be coordinated with non-health services.
“The non-health services will be responsible for the management of logistics (utilities, parking spaces, ICT and non-ICT equipment); documentation, records and registration; geoinformation-big data management; strategic communications; administration of vaccination centres at public facilities; transport for vaccine recipients; human resources; and, volunteer bodies.
“For administration purposes, the CITF operation room will be at Level 3, Block F1, Parcel F, Precinct 1 in Putrajaya.”
He said police, the armed forces, Fire and Rescue Department, and Civil Defence Force will also be involved in the implementation of the immunisation drive. – Bernama, February 17, 2021
