Malaysia Has Enough Vaccines To Cover 109% Of Its Population
With the scheduled rollout, we can achieve herd immunity by December.
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Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba says Malaysia can hit herd immunity by December after announcing the order of enough vaccines to cover 109% of the population who qualify.
There are currently 3 approved vaccines available – Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca, with an expected increase of deliveries in June and July to speed up the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
The main issue now is the human resource capacity
As there will be more dispensing centres (PPVs) nationwide, and with the introduction of new types of PPVs such as mega centres, drive-throughs, and mobile vaccination units, there needs to be the human resource capacity to oversee a smooth flow from the registration process, observation and crowd control.
PPV’s will be overseen by the Health Ministry, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, private healthcare facilities, or bodies like the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF)
3.2 million doses have been dispensed since the programme started
Currently in the second phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NCIP), the third phase is expected to start at the end of June involving those who have registered in January, February and March.
While speaking to reporters after visiting the Vaccine Distribution Centre at Penang’s SPICE Arena in George Town yesterday (3 June) NCIP Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin noted that Malaysia’s vaccination rate has surpassed neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Thailand, the Phillippines, and Vietnam.
Only 1,665 of 2,467 private general practitioners have undergone training
Following a plea made on behalf of the Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) and other general criticism that private general practitioners (GP) are held back by red tape from participating in the national vaccination programme, Dr Adham, who is also a GP, said it is necessary as there would need to be training to understand the flowchart of the programme as there are many aspects to consider such as clinical errors, risks, and legal matters.
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