KUALA LUMPUR – Another one million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will be made available for opt-in registration next week.
Coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin told The Star that an announcement will be made next week and will be open to those in the Klang Valley and other states.
He added that Malaysia will be receiving the million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine this month.
“'People need not worry and we will make the announcement next week,” he said after his visit to the World Trade Centre AstraZeneca vaccination centre here today.
On May 3, Khairy said a total of 1.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca jabs are expected to arrive via the Covax facility later this month, followed by 610,000 doses from AstraZeneca itself in June, 410,000 in July, as well as 1.2 million in August and September.
The government’s decision to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine as an optional vaccine has seen more people re-registering for the Covid-19 immunisation programme, he added.
“From the 8,000 people who pulled out from AstraZeneca when it was part of the national programme, 6,400 have now re-registered.
“After we announced the opt-in programme, about 80% of the people who cancelled their registration on MySejahtera re-registered for their vaccination appointment. This data shows that there was vaccine hesitancy.”
On the AstraZeneca vaccine, Khairy said the present roll-out of the vaccine in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur would be extended nationwide due to the 1.1 million additional doses that are now expected to arrive later this month.
Addressing the lack of internet access to rural areas, he assured that the government would look towards taking this factor into account in an effort to provide the vaccine through community clinics. – The Vibes, May 15, 2021