Booster deadline extension for Sinovac recipients nothing to do with Johor election: KJ

KUALA LUMPUR – The extension until March 31 for Sinovac recipients to get their booster doses has nothing to do with the Johor election.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the period was extended to give the group enough time to get the booster dose.

“This period has nothing to do with the state election. In fact, there are parties who ask for an extension beyond the said date.

“But we did not allow it. March 31 is the last date to get a booster dose for Sinovac vaccine recipients,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Khairy (Rembau-BN) said this when answering an additional question from Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-Amanah) who wanted to know whether the extension of time to get the booster dose for Sinovac recipients was due to the Johor election.

Previously, the Health Ministry (MoH) set the deadline for Sinovac recipients to get their booster doses on February 28, but it has now been extended to March 31.

Khairy was reported to have said that if the individuals failed to do so, their digital vaccination certificates would turn white, which means they did not receive full vaccination, thus making it difficult to pass restrictions at certain entrances.

Meanwhile, Khairy said MoH had advertised permanent posts for medical officers starting yesterday, to fill 3,586 vacancies.

“We have just advertised permanent positions for medical officers on the website yesterday.

“We keep our promises”.

Last month, Khairy announced that an additional 8,686 permanent positions involving medical officers, dental officers and pharmacists would be created over the period of 2022 to 2025.

He said, of the total, 4,186 additional permanent posts will be created in the MoH this year for the purpose of appointing a total of 3,586 medical officers, 300 dental officers and 300 pharmacy officers. – The Vibes, March 2, 2022