PM: All Malaysians Over 18 To Receive Free COVID-19 Vaccine By February 2022
During his speech, he also implored people to respect the emergency proclamation endorsed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 04 Feb 2021, 05:04 PM
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that all Malaysians over 18 years of age will be vaccinated against COVID-19 for free by first quarter of 2022
He broke the news during a live address today, 4 February.
"I would like to announce that the government will start rolling out the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme starting at the end of this month. We target that 80% of the country's population or 26.5 million individuals will receive the vaccine that will be given out for free to Malaysian citizens," he said.
The vaccine will be distributed through the national programme in three phases
The first phase will focus on immunising 500,000 frontline officials made up of medical officers as well as non-medical officers. The Prime Minister explained, "This phase is very important in order to protect our frontliners in the war against COVID-19. The first phase is scheduled to end by April."
Meanwhile, the second phase will involve high-risk groups and individuals who are prone to COVID-19 infection. This includes senior citizens, as well as those over the age of 60 who experience health problems such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
The disabled community will also be vaccinated within this phase. This makes up a total of 9.4 million people to receive the vaccine under Phase 2 of the programme starting April until August.
Phase 3 of the programme will be dedicated to the vaccination of adults over the age of 18, starting May until February 2022. Muhyiddin also noted that there is a likelihood that the scheduled period might end sooner than planned.
During his speech, he also implored people to respect the emergency proclamation endorsed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
He said, "I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all parties to stop throwing baseless accusations towards His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong in approving the emergency proclamation. The government has obtained the consent of His Majesty and he agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in the country is at a critical level and there is a need for an emergency, in line with the decision of the Cabinet."
"As I explained at length just now, the emergency proclamation by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is intended to grant jurisdiction to the Government to manage the COVID-19 pandemic more quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Immediate action is being taken by the government under the provisions of the Emergency Ordinance that is currently in force."
"The emergency proclamation has no other purpose other than to curb the transmission of COVID-19 more effectively and protect the lives of the people."
