THE Sinovac vaccine will be administered to senior citizens, who will be inoculated in the second phase of the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, said Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin.

“This was decided by the committee after taking into consideration the latest data and developments in other countries,” said Khairy, who is also the co-ordinating minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, in a press conference today.

He said the committee decided the vaccine was safe for use in senior citizens.

Turkey, Brazil and Chile are among the countries that have administered the Sinovac vaccine to this age group.

Khairy said 31,776 vaccination appointments have been given out to those who have registered in the second phase.

Another 50,000 appointments will be given out today.

However, he said 13,218 people of the 31,776 appointment recipients have confirmed their attendance, while another 343 have rejected their appointments.

Khairy, urged those who have not yet confirmed to do so at their earliest convenience.

“This will allow us to make the necessary arrangements at the vaccination centres. If we do not know how many people will turn up, it could lead to a wastage or shortage of vaccines,” he said.

The government is targeting inoculating 9.4 million vaccine recipients comprising high-risk groups such as the elderly, those with chronic health conditions and disabled people in Phase 2 of the programme. – April 12, 2021.