Govt may offer certain perks to those who complete vaccination
The government is considering allowing those who have completed two doses of Covid-19 vaccine injections under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) access to certain conveniences.
Announcing this yesterday, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, however, did not specify what those benefits were.
Khairy, who is also coordinating minister for the NIP, said the authorities were still studying clinical data on the matter.
“At the Health Ministry level as well as the Special Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Committee, we are discussing the possibility of allowing those who have completed their two doses of the vaccine to certain conveniences in the future,” he said after a working visit to the Vaccine Delivery Centre (PPV) at the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang here yesterday.
The authorities had previously floated the idea of an “immunity passport”, which would enable those who are fully vaccinated access to a variety of perks, including unrestricted travel.
However, medical experts had said the proposal needed greater consultation as there were many issues that needed to be considered before it could be rolled out.
The PPV at the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang, which can accommodate 800 people daily, is one of 10 non-medical PPVs in the state in preparation for the NIP’s second phase rollout.
Khairy said to date, some 7.5 million people had registered for the Covid-19 vaccine, which is 30
per cent of the target set by the government.
“We are looking at a steady increase. I am confident that when we begin the second phase on April 19, we will see more people coming forward to register.
“They are taking the ‘wait-andsee’ approach. They want to see how it goes for the others first. If there is no issue, then I am certain more people will come forward to register for the vaccine,” he said, adding that the government would increase the number of non-medical PPVs to hasten the NIP.
He said PPVs at hospitals and clinics would be maintained to cater to those with chronic and serious illnesses.
“We have yet to finalise the non-medical PPVs nationwide as we are still going through the states’ lists.
“We also need to make adjustments to complete the immunisation at the end of this year compared with the initial target in February next year. As such, this requires us to open up more PPVs in densely populated urban areas.
“For now and May, I am satisfied with our preparations. However, we foresee the immunisation programme peaking in June, where we will receive the delivery of vaccines in the millions each month.
“So, we might open up more PPVs with the condition the registration also increases.”
On the purchase of vaccines by state governments and private hospitals, Khairy said the government had no objection to both parties procuring their own vaccines.
He said the Health Ministry would come out with the framework next week.
“It is just that state governments and private hospitals need to manage their expectations. Don’t think that with the green light given for them to purchase the vaccines, they can receive the supply immediately. That is impossible.
“I have been representing the government in the procurement of the vaccines since last year. I know how the supplies are.
“The supplies are limited. For example, the BioNTech-Pfizer, they will only sell it to the country. As for the AstraZeneca vaccine, it will only be delivered to us in June.
“So, even if they (state governments and private hospitals) can procure the vaccines, the earliest they can get them is by the end of this year or early next year.
“If they still want to buy the vaccines, go ahead. We have no issues.”