GEORGE TOWN – Those who have gotten their two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine may be provided certain facilities and allowances, including having their travel restrictions lifted.
These facilities shall be determined by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), Health Ministry (MoH) and Vaccine Access Assurance Committee based on clinical data.
“At the MoH level, we are studying whether those who have received two doses of vaccine should be provided with certain facilities in the future,” he said at a press conference after visiting the vaccine centre at Caring Society Complex on Scotland Road.
Khairy, who is also coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, said 7.5 million or 30% of the targeted population have registered for the vaccine.
The government is aiming for 24.2 million people out of the 33.7 million-strong population to receive the jab by February next year.
The number, according to Khairy, is expected to increase during the second phase of the immunisation drive, which begins April 19.
“The increase in registration (rate) of our vaccine recipients is quite steady now and I am sure when we start the second phase, we will see more people signing up.
“Right now, many are taking a wait-and-see approach because they want to see if there are any side effects from taking the vaccine,” he said.
On the involvement of private hospitals in the vaccination drive, Khairy said Mosti and MoH will meet next week to decide on the policy and framework for private hospitals to purchase vaccines directly from suppliers.
Khairy said the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia had submitted a request, and permission would be given to private hospitals to negotiate with suppliers to purchase Covid-19 vaccines.
“As the immunisation programme coordinating minister, I am aware that the current vaccine market is very limited and if they (private hospitals) do manage to procure them, the vaccines can only be delivered at year end or next year,” said Khairy.
He also said permission will be given to any state government interested in negotiating directly with suppliers to procure the doses.
“Believe me... they will not be able to get the vaccines until the end of this year or early next year.
He explained that this is because the approved vaccines such as the Pfizer-BioNTech one are only sold to federal governments, and delivery of the AstraZeneca jab only starts in June, while Sinovac shots will be manufactured in Malaysia.
The Selangor and Sarawak governments had earlier expressed their intention to purchase the inoculation for their respective states.
The Selangor government’s intention was stated by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in January, while Sarawak was reported to have sent an official letter to Khairy last month. – The Vibes, April 1, 2021
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