KUALA LUMPUR – The government will rope private healthcare providers into the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme next month in a bid to ramp up vaccination rates.
Coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin said some 2,500 private general practitioners have registered to take part in the drive, with 1,800 having finished their training.
At least 500 of these GPs will start providing vaccination against the coronavirus from June 15, with some 1,000 private clinics to be involved by end-June, he told a press conference today.
“Although many feel that administering vaccines is a routine duty, Covid-19 vaccination is slightly different, including the use of cold storage (for vaccines). But, the training is simple and easy.”
And, more mega vaccination centres will be opened, following discussions with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Khairy said they will operate out of The Mines Convention Centre, UiTM Puncak Alam and Setia City Convention Centre.
In Kuala Lumpur, two such sites will be set up, at the KL Convention Centre and in the Bukit Jalil National Stadium compound.
Private hospitals across the country will soon serve as vaccination centres, and the government will conduct inspections once they are set up as part of Act 586.
“I will head to states to review the locations suitable to serve as PPVs (vaccination centres), including private clinics and hospitals. I hope all state health directors will give their cooperation in working with GP clinics, specialist clinics, private hospitals and ambulatory care centres under the immunisation programme,” said Khairy.
We are targeting private clinics and hospitals to provide 40,000 jabs a day before June 30, depending on vaccine supply. The decision to now open up the vaccination programme to private healthcare providers is because we are expecting more vaccine supply June onwards.”
He said changes to vaccination appointments today were made to reduce congestion at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
“Based on the reports I’m getting, the congestion has eased. WTC will still provide 8,000 jabs per day. As of May 28, we were at 107,000 jabs a day, and we will reach 150,000 jabs daily very soon.
“I hope 150,000 jabs a day will be the national average, and not a peak once in a while.”
The MySejahtera app will be updated soon to allow users who received the wrong vaccination dates to change or cancel their appointments, including those who opted for the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said.
Khairy said the app will also allow users to key in information such as whether they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Meanwhile, the plan to allow Malaysians to choose their vaccine brand of choice has been put off for the sake of expediting the inoculation drive.
“We will give whatever vaccine we have,” said Khairy.
On suggestions of drive-through vaccination sites, he said Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian has successfully conducted a pilot programme.
“Other states have asked me the same thing. I will release safety guidelines for the implementation tomorrow. We cannot allow people to leave immediately after getting the jab. There is still a need for observation after getting vaccinated.
“It’s a good idea, but the vaccination rates at drive-through sites cannot beat those of mega PPVs.”
Despite the Phase 1 lockdown to take effect from June 1 to 14, it will be business as usual at vaccination centres, with recipients allowed to attend their appointments so long as they show the authorities their registration details, including on MySejahtera.
On the Sinovac vaccine not being recognised by Saudi Arabia, Khairy said government-to-government talks will be held.
Some prospective umrah and haj pilgrims received the Sinovac jab prior to the Saudi decision.
“I will also seek specialist advice on giving Pfizer as the second dose to Sinovac recipients. Different countries recognise different vaccines, and this may prove problematic for travellers,” said Khairy.
Saudi Arabia recognises Covid-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna. – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
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