Definitely on track, but more needs to be done, says PM - The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Everything is being done to expedite Malaysia’s biggest national vaccination programme, including going right to the doorstep of those who have yet to register, to ensure no one is left behind, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic).

Despite the hiccups, the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) is well on its way and gaining steam every day, he said, adding that the 16 million doses of vaccines due in the next two months would ensure Malaysia achieved herd immunity as soon as possible.

In a speech yesterday, Muhyiddin said that in the first 100 days of the NIP, frontliners and authorities in charge of vaccination had placed Malaysia among the most vaccinated countries in South-East Asia.

This was despite the problem of getting the promised supply of vaccines, which was beyond the control of the government, he said.

He also acknowledged that there were still many problems with the NIP that needed to be addressed, especially for people who live in remote areas and those who have no access to MySejahtera.

“NIP has passed 100 days since Phase One on Feb 24 with frontliners receiving their first doses.

“From 5,000 to 8,000 injections a day, we now have about 100,000 injections daily.

“In the next two months, we will receive 16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. With this additional supply, the government projects daily vaccinations to go up to 150,000 or higher, ” said Muhyiddin.

He thanked all those involved in the NIP, including the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV), medical frontliners, authorities and volunteers for their hard work.

“I am aware of the weaknesses that need to be addressed in the system, ” he said.

“As a caring government, we will always listen to the complaints and feedback from the people and will try to improve our efforts in terms of planning, capacity and workforce to achieve herd immunity.

“I stress that this Covid-19 vaccination programme is very important for all Malaysians as it will prevent severe infection, save lives, and assist in the recovery of the economy.”

He said that to date, three million doses of vaccines had been given with more than two million having received their first doses, making Malaysia the country with the highest number of population in South-East Asia having their first doses.

“I have ordered NIP coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin to ensure that more vaccination centres (PPV) are opened nationwide to expedite the vaccination process.

“Insya allah, our target of 80% of the population being vaccinated by year-end will be achieved, ” said Muhyiddin, adding that 300 more PPVs would be added to the existing 280.

He also said 105 community clinics as well as public halls, universities, sports complexes and stadiums were already being used as PPVs.

The Prime Minister visited two mega PPVs at the World Trade Centre and Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) on Friday.

“In ensuring that no one is left behind, the government has launched mobile vaccination units to villages and remote areas, ” he said.

As of June 3, these mobile units were in parts of Sabah, Kelantan and Perak.

In Penang, Muhyiddin said mobile units were dispensed to eight old folks homes and Selangor has its own mobile units in various districts.

He also said special PPVs manned by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry were working with various associations to reach the disabled, such as the Malaysian Association for the Blind in Brickfields.

“The Federal Territories Ministry has introduced vaccination mobile trucks for 400,000 people in the city in areas such as low-cost flats and homeless transit centres.

“I have ordered that all those who have registered be given their appointments as soon as possible, ” said Muhyiddin.

As only 51% of those eligible for vaccination have registered so far, he said, he has ordered all government agencies and ministries to go on the ground to enable more registration, including manually, using all the government assets available.

He also called for more youths to volunteer with the NIP to assist the government to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible.