Why KJ moving on to economic sector when only 38pct seniors vaccinated? - MP

 

Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong has questioned the government rationale in commencing the Covid-19 vaccination exercise for the economic sector when many senior citizens have yet to get their shots.

Khoo (above) noted that based on data provided by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, 855,124 out of 2,246,257 registered senior citizens have received at least the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The DAP lawmaker noted that this translated to only 38 percent since the vaccination exercise for senior citizens started under Phase 2 in mid-April.

"As Khairy himself has repeatedly stated, our supply of Covid-19 vaccines is limited," Khoo said in a statement.

The move, he said, means there will be fewer Covid-19 vaccines for senior citizens.

"This is a major deviation from the government's own policy. In effect, senior citizens would have to wait longer for their vaccine although they are categorised as a high-risk group," he said.

Yesterday, Khairy announced the government will commence "Phase 4" of the Covid-19 vaccination programme targeting workers in the critical economic sectors.

This was despite Phase 2 still progressing slowly and Phase 3 had yet to start.

Apart from senior citizens (aged 60 and above), Phase 2 was also intended to vaccinate disabled persons and those who co-morbidities.

According to the special committee On Covid-19 vaccine supply, 4.1 million people have registered under Phase 2 with less than half or 1,92 million who have received at least the first dose.

Phase 3 is intended for the general population that is aged 18 and above. Khairy had last month said Phase 3 may be delayed due to the low vaccine supply.

However, Khairy yesterday said Phase 4 will commence on June 16 - running concurrently with Phase 2 and even before Phase 3 begins.

"Clearly, Phase 2 is progressing too slowly, and yet the government wants to start with Phase 4 before completing Phase 2.

"It is now clear that the government is not prioritising senior citizens under Phase 2 anymore," Khoo said.

Khairy had said he expected nearly 60 percent of senior citizens to at least receive their first Covid-19 vaccine dose by the middle of June. - Mkini