THE government should first roll out Covid-19 vaccine to those working in essential or critical services and to those with a high risk of infection, including seniors and prisoners, said a think-tank today.

Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy’s CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said essential or critical workers include those in healthcare, law enforcement, cleaning and sanitation, elderly care, and as well as those in supply and distribution of goods and services, such as water, food and electricity.

Apart from this category, he said, those who have increased risk of developing severe complications or dying from Covid-19, such as those older than 60, with certain pre-existing underlying serious medical conditions, such as cancer, chronic kidney disease or heart disease, should also be put high on the list of early recipients.

People in an increased risk of transmission, such as prisons and immigration detention facilities, and factory dormitories, should also not be overlooked.

“It is not too early to start talking, planning and communicating how any incoming vaccine will be rolled out to the population,” Azrul said in a statement.

“We should not wait until the vaccines are approved and actually delivered. One crucial point that needs to be communicated to the public is who should get the vaccine first.

“The government needs to put together and make public a vaccine priority list of people who should be first in line to receive a safe and effective vaccine when it becomes available next year.

“Because the initial number of people who are going to be vaccinated is determined by the number of doses that we receive, it is important for us to have a clear understanding and reasoning for why they are prioritised.”

Malaysians may start receiving Covid-19 vaccine early next year pending approval from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.

The government should also be ready to adapt to changes in understanding of which groups are disproportionately affected.

“Besides the three categories of people, we will need to also prioritise according to the states hit hardest by Covid-19. This would mean that Sabah, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur should be prioritised, focusing on Groups 2 and 3.

“This approach should continue throughout the year.”

Those not in the three categories will have to be placed at a lower priority level and will receive the vaccine much later, possibly at the end of 2021, or even 2022.

They include those younger, generally healthy and not working in a critical or essential function. They will need to continue to practise the SOP introduced this year, he said.

“There is significant global demand for a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine. Due to this demand, large volumes of doses will not likely be immediately available but must be prioritised for certain groups when the batches arrive.” – December 6, 2020.