[UPDATED] Teens getting Pfizer jab eligible for walk-ins at selected PPVs; list to be announced tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR – There will be an option for teenagers eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to get their jabs on a walk-in basis at selected vaccination centres (PPVs), said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said this is an option for those who do not want to wait for their schools to start the vaccination programme, but the list of PPVs and other details will be announced tomorrow.

He added that as of September 16, about 85,000 teenagers have received their first dose without any serious side effects.

By November, the government aims to get 60% of eligible teens jabbed with at least one dose, of which 80% will be fully vaccinated by early next year when the new school term begins.

He said teens going for jabs should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will be given consent forms to fill.

“Those with medical conditions and allergies will be given exemption provided they have confirmation issued by their doctors,” he said during a teen vaccination event with Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin at SMK Putrajaya Presint 8(1) this morning.

“Schools will be used as temporary PPVs, only used to vaccinate their students. The Health Ministry will deploy its staffers to man the PPVs, and if necessary, seek help from private GPs registered with the ministry’s ProtectHealth Corp.”

As for children below the age of 12, the minister said the best they can do for now is to vaccinate all staffers, including teachers and those working in education institutions, in a bid to create a safe environment for the children. 

“So far, the NPRA (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency) has yet to approve the use of any vaccine on children below the age of 12. Several companies have submitted clinical data for NPRA evaluation, but (we have received) no approvals yet.”

He also revealed that there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases among children – from 12,620 cases last year to 400,668 as of September 16.

Also at the event were Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Education Director-General Datin Seri Nor Zamani Abdol Hamid and senior officers from both ministries.

Previously, Sarawak started its vaccination programme for teens on September 8, followed by Labuan (September 11) and Sabah (September 16).

The programme will also kick off in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Perlis and Pahang. – The Vibes, September 20, 2021