NOT all general practitioners in the country want to participate in efforts to administer Covid-19 vaccines, said Khairy Jamaluddin. 

The coordinating minister for the national vaccination campaign said of more than 7,000 GP clinics, only about 2,000 GPs have registered. 

“At the moment, only 2,467 have registered. Not all 7,000. 

“Of them, we have already sent appointment letters to 1,482 GP clinics and they can give the vaccines,” Khairy said today at his weekly press conference with Health Minister Dr Adham Baba on inoculation efforts. 

Khairy was responding to a question on why not all 7,000 GPs were selected to administer the vaccines. 

He also said that GPs would need to register and undergo training with ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Although it was routine for some GPs to administer vaccines, he said the Covid-19 vaccine was different and would require some training. 

“The vaccination before is routine but training is required (for this) because we have to give basic training for storage, administering the vaccines, which is a little different as it uses a special syringe and other requirements,” he said, adding that a total of 1,665 GPs have attended training. 

Khairy, who is science, technology and innovation minister, also added that not all GPs were presently ready with the cold chain storage for the vaccine. 

“Those who have enough readiness in terms of the cold chain are only 720. 

“This is important because some GPs don’t have the data logger on the fridge to maintain and monitor the temperature,” he said. 

Yesterday, Khairy said that 1,000 clinics will become vaccination centres by June 30.

He said GPs could not be pressed into service sooner because there were not enough vaccines to go around but from next month supplies will increase. 

Last week, the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Association Malaysia called for Covid-19 mass vaccination for the public to be held at all public and private clinics and hospitals in the country. – May 31, 2021.