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

Khairy said the matter was discussed and agreed by the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee.

“Recently, there were pictures of our athletes getting their vaccinations.

“Well, they are not just representing our country in the Olympics but they are also going through the qualifying phases.

“The committee agreed to provide vaccines to individuals and teams representing Malaysia at International competitions,” the science, technology and innovation minister said at his weekly press conference on the vaccination programme today.

Khairy said Malaysia was following the similar approach of other countries, like New Zealand to inoculate athletes.

“I looked at New Zealand and they allowed their athletes to the Olympics to get early vaccination under national significance.

“We in Malaysia also adopt the same approach,” he said, adding that athletes can become vulnerable when competing overseas.

He was referring to the case where few badminton players tested positive for coronavirus.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia had confirmed six shuttlers came down with Covid-19 and are now in isolation at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara.

Beside this, Khairy said that almost half a million teachers in government and private sectors will be included in phase two of the vaccination programme.

He said the committee decided that teachers should be given priority based on risk assessment made.  

“The Education Ministry is compiling a list of teachers for us to include in the programme so they can get appointments during the second phase.”

The second phase is from April to August, involving 9.4 million senior citizens, aged 60 and above, as well as vulnerable groups with morbidity problems and persons with disabilities.

The third phase, scheduled from May 2021 to February 2022, is for individuals aged 18 and above, targeting about 14 million people. – April 19, 2021.