ONE million senior citizens have received the first dose of the vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun.

She said since the second phase of the vaccination exercise, which prioritises senior citizens, commenced in April, 229,462 individuals completed two doses of the vaccination, while the rest received the first dose.

“In total, 60% of the 3.5 million senior citizens, aged 60 and above, have registered for the vaccination through the MySejahtera application.

“We have seen an increase in the number of those who want to get the vaccine. This shows the awareness of the people, not only to register but to receive the vaccine too,” she told reporters in Sikamat, Seremban today.

She said that her ministry, through relevant agencies, is also trying to identify the best ways to find the elderly who are homeless to give them the vaccine.

Rina also suggested that all levels of society should play a role and need to be more aggressive in encouraging the remaining 40% of senior citizens to register for the vaccination.

She said family members, communities and non-governmental organisations need to implement a ‘whole of society’ approach to ensuring that information related to the vaccination programme reached the elderly. – Bernama, June 6, 2021.