KJ confirms hotel staff in Pahang vaccinated

 

Staff at 56 Pahang hotels, including in Genting Highlands, have received their first dose of vaccination, minister in charge Khairy Jamaluddin said.

He said the decision to vaccinate tourism industry workers ahead of other at-risk groups was made by Pahang's Covid-19 Immunisation Taskforce (CITF).

He denied allegations on social media that he had authorised the vaccinations of workers at the Genting Group's hotels and casino ahead of senior citizens and teachers awaiting their vaccinations in the district of Bentong.

The science, technology and innovation minister disclosed that he had written to the Pahang state government after it did not follow the set priority list.

"The federal CITF was only aware of this decision after the vaccinations were given to this group.

"Following that, I had on April 12 written to the Pahang government to inform them that a decision on early recipients for the vaccine is made by the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV).

"Until (the JKJAV includes other) groups in the list, the existing priority list must be used," he said in a statement.

Other states too?

Aside from Pahang, Khairy appeared to imply that several other states had also failed to adhere to the committee’s priority list but did not disclose details.

“Decisions on who are recipients for Phase 1 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme follows the 'Guideline to Identify Frontliners' that JKJAV published on March 1.

“Vaccination appointments during Phase 1 are managed by the state CITF following a list that is prepared at the state level.

“However, there are a few states that are under the impression that they can start giving vaccines to other groups of recipients after they have vaccinated those in Phase 1,” he said.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Khairy for more details.

Those whom JKJAV considers as frontliners include nurses, hospital cleaners, medical practitioners, general practitioners, police officers, armed forces personnel, immigration officers, Prisons Department officers and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel.

Cabinet members, MPs, state assemblypersons and government officials involved in overseas visits involving cabinet ministers are also considered frontliners.

Hotel staff and tourism industry workers are not. - Mkini