PUTRAJAYA – Children will have to pay for their Covid-19 vaccine once the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) programme ends on May 15, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force for Children announced that the first dose given under PICKids will only be until May 15 and the government will not offer it after that as the low demand for the vaccine could result in high wastage.
“After that date, they will have to pay for the vaccine and they will be given the Sinovac vaccine,” Khairy told a media conference here after announcing the relaxation of Covid-19 control and prevention measures in line with the transition to the endemic phase here today.
Khairy said they can receive the vaccine at any paid vaccination centre.
He said the PICKids programme will not be extended as it involves the expiration date of the vaccine, the delivery schedule from the manufacturer as well as efforts to procure more antiviral drugs.
Meanwhile, Khairy said Covid-19 infection in the country is under control, with a positivity rate of between 5% and 10%.
He said reports related to Covid-19 cases in the country will not be issued daily from tomorrow.
“Tomorrow will be the last time the MoH (Health Ministry) will issue (the reports) and it will be issued weekly after this,” he said. – Bernama, April 27, 2022
