THE national Covid-19 immunisation programme will begin on February 26, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

Malaysia is set to receive the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on February 21.

“Following that, the national Covid-19 immunisation programme will be rolled out on February 26, whereby I will receive the vaccine on the same day along with front-liners,” he said while launching the handbook today.

The country’s largest vaccination programme will be implemented in three phases.

The first phase of the programme, which is slated to run from February 26 to April, will involve front-liners.

MPs and assemblymen will also be among the first recipients of the shot.

Muhyiddin said the vaccine supply special committee agreed the elected representatives should get priority for immunisation as they work closely with the community.

“Since the nature of their job is such, we agree that the MPs and assemblymen, regardless from which party, will be given the vaccine during the first phase so that they can discharge their duties more effectively and safely.”

The second phase involves the high-risk group, who will be inoculated between April and August.

The third phase, starting in May, involves adults aged 18 and above. This phase will end in February 2022.

Muhyiddin said the government aims to achieve herd immunity to break the chain of infection and to put an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also reminded the people to not take vaccination lightly and to register when the time comes.

“Remind your relatives and friends to join. Make sure we are present when we are called (to receive) the first and second doses because if we are protected, we can protect others, especially our loved ones.”

With the successful implementation of the immunisation programme, economic sectors, such as tourism, will be able to resume operations, he said.

“We can pay visits. We can play sports but it has to be done according to the new norms.

“This is what I meant when I said the Covid-19 vaccine is among our biggest ray of hope in the war against Covid-19.”

The handbook launched today contains details on the policy and can be downloaded from www.VaksinCovid.gov.my.

Co-chairman of the Covid-19 vaccine supplies access guarantee special committee (JKJAV) Khairy Jamaluddin said previously those intending to get vaccinated can sign up via the MySejahtera application.

The science, technology and innovation minister said the app will be used for post-vaccination surveillance.

In addition to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Malaysia will receive the Sinovac vaccine from China.

Putrajaya has also inked procurement deals with UK’s AstraZeneca, Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s CanSino.

The government is looking to vaccinate around 26.5million people. – February 16, 2021.