Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has confirmed that Covid-19 vaccination for adolescents in the Klang Valley will commence soon, with those in the 12-17 age group set to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
He said the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) has greenlit the commencement of adolescent Covid-19 vaccination.
"Sarawak will begin today, starting with 16 to 17-year-olds and 12 to 15-year-olds who are at high risk (with chronic medical conditions)," he tweeted this morning.
"Labuan and the Klang Valley will follow shortly.
"We will be giving the Pfizer vaccine," added the Rembau MP.
Khairy yesterday announced that the first group of 76,400 teenagers in Sarawak will receive their Covid-19 vaccine jabs starting today.
He said this group comprised those aged 16 and 17 as well as those aged 12 to 15 suffering from high-risk diseases such as problems with the immune system.
“I have just contacted the Sarawak chief minister… the initial group will be offered to become vaccine recipients. Their dosage is the same as for adults.
“After this initial group, the vaccine will be administered in stages to those aged 14 and 15, followed by those aged 12 to 13,” he added.
The vaccination is among the policies agreed by the JKJAV regarding the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency’s approval for the use of the Pfizer vaccine for teenagers.
Khairy said after Sarawak, the shots would be administered to teenagers in states that have reached the benchmark of 80 percent of vaccinated adults, such as Labuan, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
This is in advance of the proposed reopening of schools which was pushed back to October.
Last week, Khairy said he would have a discussion with Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin on the vaccination mandate for teachers.
Speaking to reporters, he said they were looking into whether Covid-19 immunisation can be made compulsory for teachers, as well as legal issues related to the matter.
"We have to discuss with the Education Ministry because there is also a legal implication.
"I will have to discuss with the education minister the sectoral mandate (for teachers), and whether it can be made compulsory," Khairy added. - Mkini
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