KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s teen vaccination programme is off to a good start, with more than 500,000 having received at least the first dose.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today tweeted that Sabah is in the lead, with 56% of its adolescents registered with schools getting at least their first shot.
The Education Ministry, meanwhile, said students who are not vaccinated will not be stopped from attending in-person classes.
In a press conference yesterday, Deputy Education Minister I Datuk Mah Hang Soon said he is not ruling out the possibility of children rejecting vaccination, but added that the number is small, and that some parents are not ready to allow their kids to get the jab.
Every student has the right (to study and attend school). There is no reason for MoE to prevent them from returning to school (if they are not vaccinated). Counselling will be given especially to the parents, as it is not the student who declines vaccination, but the parents are the ones rejecting it.
“MoE is prepared to assist parents and schools achieve the objective. MoE is planning to send various promotional materials to help parents and schools achieve this goal. We plan to send leaflets so that parents receive the correct information, so that they agree to allow their children to receive the vaccine.”
He said the ministry, through district education offices, has issued directives to schools nationwide to expedite the issuance of teens’ vaccination appointments to ensure the programme’s success.
As of yesterday, more than half a million adolescents (12-17 yo) have received at least their first dose under PICK Remaja. Sabah leads the pack with 56% of adolescents registered in schools receiving at least their first dose.
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) September 23, 2021
In the same presser, Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said vaccinated adolescents have not experienced serious side effects.
He said 410,489 youngsters had received their first dose as of yesterday, with Sabah seeing the highest number at 140,890, followed by Sarawak (85,291), Kedah (31,294), Kelantan (17,413), Johor (27,936) and Labuan (2,515).
“None of the teenagers given the Covid-19 vaccine has suffered serious side effects.
“The side effects reported were fever, muscle pain, soreness at the injection spot, and headache, which are commonly experienced. These side effects will disappear with medication.”
The vaccination drive targets some 3.2 million teens aged between 12 and 17. It is being implemented ahead of schools’ reopening next month. – The Vibes, September 23, 2021
