KUALA LUMPUR – Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the federal government will be ramping up vaccination for critical industries and sectors that are operating under the third movement control order.
To realise this policy, the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) will be working with relevant industries – including those under the ambits of the International Trade and Industry Ministry; Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry; Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry; Transport Ministry and Works Ministry – and relevant government agencies.
“We will work with ProtectHealth Corp under the Health Ministry to administer the vaccine for (personnel in) these industries to speed up the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme among industries,” said Khairy at a joint press conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba today.
Industries or companies interested in facilitating the vaccination of their employees can proceed under a public-private partnership, where the government offers the vaccine for free but the industries or companies will bear the cost of administering it, he added.
Khairy said the vaccination of media personnel kicked off today, with 98 representatives from local and international media companies.
“In the week to come, more media personnel in the country will get their vaccination date.
“CITF is getting the list of names from the Information Department to ensure these personnel get their protection from the virus.”
The Rembau MP also said a new vaccination mobile truck initiative has started in the capital.
These trucks were mobilised to the Kg Muhibbah People’s Housing Project (PPR) on June 7, and to an MRT worksite the following day, he added.
“We find this programme successful, and CITF is planning to increase the number of mobile trucks and move them to certain places such as PPR flats and industrial sites.
“We will focus on red states, such as the Klang Valley, which covers Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.”
As for the immunisation programme in Selangor, Khairy said the vaccine delivery rate will be increased to 25% compared with the whole country, as opposed to the current 17%.
He said to realise this initiative, mega vaccination centres (PPVs) will be opened soon.
Meanwhile, Dr Adham explained that to ramp up vaccination, medical housemen serving in hospitals will be moved to PPVs to become vaccinators and monitor shot recipients at observation centres.
He said those graduating as doctors, nurses and dentists will be given training and licences to assist at PPVs.
He added that pensioners who served as healthcare personnel will also be requested to help with the inoculation exercise. – The Vibes, June 9, 2021
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