VACCINATION applications for those who need to travel abroad will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, said Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

“The Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee has its own considerations to decide (on whether the vaccine should be administered to the traveller),” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said each application will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Adham was responding to The Malaysian Insight’s query on whether those who need to travel overseas for work or education purposes will be inoculated due to the urgency of their travel.

He said applications requesting for vaccination for travel will have to be made with the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF).

Recently, coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin said that vaccinations were given to national athletes representing Malaysia at the international stage on grounds of national significance.

Malaysia is currently in the second phase of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme.

The government is aiming to inoculate some 9.4 million people in this phase, comprising high-risk groups such as senior citizens, those with pre-existing health conditions and the differently-able.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Security cluster) said on April 12 that the government has yet to discuss whether there is a need to make vaccination compulsory for those travelling abroad, based on the requirement of the country they are heading to.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said earlier this month that overseas travel will be allowed for those who have been fully vaccinated, provided that they have received their certificate of verification.

He said Putrajaya has discussed the matter with a number of countries to allow the travel privilege.

Currently, the ban on overseas travel for leisure and tourism purposes is still in force.

Citizens are only allowed to travel abroad for work, emergency or education purposes. These cases are still, however, subject to the approval of the Immigration Department. – April 23, 2021.