KUALA LUMPUR – The next voluntary registration for the AstraZeneca (AZ) Covid-19 vaccine will be opened on May 23 but it is only available for those above 60 years old in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.
Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti) Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Twitter that the reason these states have been selected is due to the fact that cases are the highest there.
“The next AstraZeneca opt-in will open on May 23 and will only be available to above 60s in Selangor, KL, Penang, Sarawak, and Johor where cases are highest.
“Bookings (should be made) via website and community clinic outreach. AZ will also be sent to elderly care homes,” said Khairy.
However, he added that those present on the first round of voluntary registration’s waiting list will be able to obtain their appointments.
The vaccine doses that are not taken up will be available to those under the age of 60 after May 26.
Putrajaya first opened up the voluntary registration on May 2 for AstraZeneca in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor following concerns about the vaccine as it has been reported to cause blood clots.
However, only one out of every 250,000 individuals or 0.004% of those inoculated had blood clots.
The drug was taken out of the country’s National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, but the federal administration decided to open all the 268,600 doses left in the country for Malaysians to voluntarily register for their jabs.
In less than three and a half hours after the registration site was launched, all slots were snapped up by eager Malaysians residing in Selangor and the nation’s capital.
The government had opened up special vaccination centres in Putra World Trade Centre, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Ideal Convention Centre Shah Alam.
The first phase of the volunteer programme began on May 5 and will end on June 6.
Last week, Khairy said that Malaysia will receive over one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but also advised the public who have not been listed under the programme against “trying their luck” by going to the vaccination centres.
He pointed out that only those who have been listed will be administered with the vaccine.
“I understand there are many without appointments scheduled in their MySejahtera app who have come to the PPV to try to get a ‘walk-in’ and see if they are able to get immunised. Please do not do so,” he said. – The Vibes, May 17, 2012
