PUTRAJAYA – Only 2,467 general practitioners (GPs) have applied to be involved in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, said its coordinating minister, Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said although there are about 7,000 GPs in the country, not all are able to participate in the vaccination programme as some do not meet the requirements or are not able to provide special refrigerators for the storage of Covid-19 vaccines.
In a joint press conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba today, Khairy said of the 2,467 GPs who applied, 1,482 were given letters of appointment to administer Covid-19 vaccine shots.
“We have to give them (the GPs) basic training for storage and for administering the vaccine, which is slightly different as it uses a special syringe. Training is required for the vaccination. The GPs may say that vaccinations are routine for them but this is the Covid-19 vaccination and it is different,” he said.
“We want more GPs to join in, but we have to understand that not all GPs are presently ready with the cold storage for the vaccine,” he added.
On whether compounds will be imposed on those who fail to attend their vaccine jab appointments, Khairy said that for now, he will continue with the approach of contacting individuals and encouraging them to attend and that imposing a fine would only be a last resort.
He also advised the public to check their addresses when registering to receive the Covid-19 vaccine injection through the MySejahtera app to avoid being given an appointment far from their place of residence. – Bernama, May 31, 2021
