PUTRAJAYA – Phase two of Covid-19 vaccinations, covering senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD) and those with chronic diseases, will begin in eight states when it kicks off on April 19, said the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme’s Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Kedah, Melaka, Penang, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu and the Federal Territory of Labuan, to be followed a few days later by other states according to the readiness of the vaccination centres and staff, he said.
Khairy said potential vaccine recipients would be notified of their appointment dates through the MySejahtera application from today.
“Notifications will be sent out at least 14 days before the appointment date for receiving the vaccine, with reminders to be sent three days and one day in advance via SMS and call centres,” he told a joint press conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba on the immunisation programme here today.
He said attendance is compulsory for those who have registered and confirmed their appointment, as thorough preparations have been made by vaccination centres and the allocated jabs should not go to waste.
Khairy said several proposals would be tabled at a meeting of the Special Committee on Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) with the Human Resource Ministry tomorrow, including asking employers to allow workers to go for their vaccination appointment.
“Employers cannot prevent their workers from going for the vaccination session. We will propose or compel employers to grant leave to these workers to get vaccinated. The decision on this will be announced later,” he said.
Khairy said a proposal would also be made to the National Security Council (NSC) to allow interstate travel for people wishing to help dependants go to vaccination centres.
On the first phase of the immunisation, Khairy said 62,837 healthcare frontliners had not yet received their jabs, including personnel of government and private healthcare facilities, private healthcare laboratories, private ambulance operators and palliative care centres.
“A directive has been issued for these people to be given priority in getting the vaccine in April for us to complete phase one,” he added. – Bernama, April 5, 2021
