AS many as 2.72 million foreigners have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine since the start of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme in February, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba.

This is in line with Malaysia’s aspiration that “no one is safe until everyone is”, he said in response to former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng-PH).

“As of September 22, under the suggestions that free vaccines be provided to non-Malaysians, 2.72 million individuals have received one dose, while 1.59 million are fully vaccinated.

“This is to ensure that the vaccine coverage extends to the epicentres of the virus.”

However, the minister did not clarify whether the figure includes expatriates, legal and illegal migrant workers, and the refugee community.

According to the Statistics Department, out of the 32.66 million population in Malaysia, 2.69 million are foreigners.

Of the 32.66 million, 23.5 million (72%) have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 20.3 million (62%) are fully vaccinated.

As of September 30, 43.7 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide. In terms of the adult population, 94.2% have received one dose, while 86.3% are fully vaccinated. – October 1, 2021.