WHETHER Malaysia achieves herd immunity by year-end will depend on new Covid-19 variants and if enough people come forward for their vaccination, said Khairy Jamaluddin. 

“We expect the vaccination process to plateau around October after we have vaccinated all those who have volunteered (for vaccination),” the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister said at his weekly Covid-19 vaccination press conference today. 

“After that, we will have to go and find all those who haven’t volunteered,” said Khairy. 

He said the other condition was whether there would be any new Covid-19 variants and whether the vaccines given can cover the new variants. 

“As far as vaccine supply goes, I’m confident we will get more than enough to cover everyone by this year with the caveat of those two conditions,” he added. 

Khairy was responding to Muhyiddin Yassin’s remarks on Sunday that he was confident of attaining herd immunity by the end of the year. 

As of yesterday, 10.85 million Malaysians or 45% of those aged above 18 have signed up for the Covid-19 vaccination programme. 

Some 2.6 million have already been vaccinated with 1.58 million receiving a single dose and 905,000 getting two doses. 

Among those vaccinated, 1.89 million doses were given to those above 60. 

Malaysia reported its highest number of new infections today with 7,289 new cases. 

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham said in a statement that the national caseload now stands at 525,889. 

This is the first time the daily tally has passed the 7,000 mark. 

Selangor led the tally with 2,642 cases, followed by Johor and Kuala Lumpur with 664 and 604 cases respectively. – May 25, 2021.