Covid-19 vaccination: Jab the teachers first - MP

 

The government has been urged to prioritise teachers during phase two of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said this was necessary as the Health Ministry has reported 41 Covid-19 clusters which emerged after in-class activity began in January. 

In view of this, she said the country cannot afford further closure of learning institutions and thus the government must act.

"However, 41 clusters involving 2,228 cases will deter parents from sending their children and raise many safety questions.

"Parents need to be assured that appropriate measures are taken to protect children before they are allowed to go back to school," Teo added.

According to the Health Ministry, 15 of these clusters involved higher education institutions followed by secondary schools (11) and primary schools or preschools (10). Another five clusters involved tahfiz or madrasah religious schools.

The former deputy education minister said that while the 55,539 public school teachers with comorbidities were included in the first phase of the immunisation programme, there were teachers in other schools managed by the government requiring vaccination as well.

This includes the Genius Institution, People's Religious Schools, State Religious Schools, Mara Junior Colleges, Royal Military Colleges and those in private schools.

"I hope (minister) Khairy Jamaluddin will make the announcement on Monday that all teachers, whether in the government or private sector, will be prioritised as they and their students could be exposed to the same level of risks," Teo added.

The country is in phase one of the immunisation programme which covers 500,000 frontliners.

Phase two will begin in April, involving 9.4 million people, primarily those aged 60 and above or those considered "high-risk". - Mkini