PORT DICKSON – A total of 26,472 members of the Malaysian army (TDM) nationwide will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in stages under the first phase of the national immunisation exercise, beginning March 8.
Army chief Gen Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain said thus far, 28 army personnel nationwide received the vaccine on February 26.
“Next Monday the vaccination exercise will be carried out comprehensively, including those working in formations, red zones and controlling national borders,” he told reporters at the Basic Army Training Centre (Pusasda) parade ground here.
Zamrose, who were among those to receive the vaccine on Friday, said he was in good health.
The National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme began on February 24 with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin first in line for the vaccine, followed by Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and four frontliners.
Earlier, Zamrose in his speech in conjunction with the army’s 88th anniversary today said the nation’s land forces army are committed to helping the government and the people not only during conflicts, but also when facing natural or health disasters.
“This could be seen through the implementation of Op Penawar and Op Benteng where the involvement of the army showed significant success in curbing the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
He said TDM was also entrusted by the government to coordinate the implementation of the National Covid-19 Immunisation programme nationwide.
“The army’s deputy chief has been appointed as the joint project director of the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force’s management team. I would like to thank the government for the trust in TDM in implementing such a high impact programme,” he said. – Bernama, March 1, 2021
