DG targets 80% of kids jabbed by next March

PETALING JAYA: By November, 60% of children will receive at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. And, before the 2022 academic year begins next March, 80% of those who are eligible would have completed their vaccination.

These are the aims of the Health Ministry, which is now embarking on a nationwide mass immunisation drive for adolescents aged between 12 and 17, due to concerns over the rise in infections and deaths among this age group.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said statistics showing an increasing trend of infections among children below 18 years old was worrying, while the sharp rise in deaths among this age group, which stood at 67 this year compared to six deaths in 2020, was also of concern.

“The statistics showing an increasing trend of infections among children (infants-18 years) in Malaysia is worrying. The ministry aims for 80% of those who are eligible to be completely vaccinated before school opens for the 2022 session,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysia recorded 14,345 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the cumulative total to 2,112,175.