THE Health Ministry may begin vaccinating two categories of teenagers against Covid-19 starting mid-September, according to an internal circular.

The first category involves teenagers aged between 12 and 15 years old who have certain health conditions.

The second category is for teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old, with and without a health condition, stated the circular dated August 12 and signed by 
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

“The order stated in this circular will be effective September 15,  2021,” he said in the circular sighted by The Malaysian Insight.

However, he added that implementation of the vaccination programme for these categories of teens will depend on the availability of vaccine supplies.

Three categories of recipients will be assessed prior to vaccination.

These are: those with a history of allergies to vaccination, medicine and other allergies; those who are immunocompromised due to disease or treatment; and, those who taking anticoagulant medicines or who have medical conditions that involve the tendency to bleed.

“The assessment will have to be done by the medical officer or specialist treating the individual,” Dr Noor Hisham said.

The assessment can be done at the public and private health facility where the recipient has been receiving treatment, he added. A sample assessment slip was appended with the circular.

Individuals in the aforesaid three categories who are considered at risk and those who are undergoing long-term treatment are required to be vaccinated at hospitals, the circular also states.

The vaccination drive for teenagers will be carried out at special vaccination centres (PPVs), designated health clinics and via outreach programmes.

Calls have grown in Malaysia for teenagers to be vaccinated before schools reopen in September, and as the more virulent Delta variant of concern infects a higher number of young persons compared to earlier Covid-19 strains.

Initially, the government did not intent to vaccinate teenagers aged 17 and below to avoid the risk of heart inflammation. 

The decision was made in line with the findings in the United States where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 323 cases of heart inflammation were found in people who received two doses of Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

The cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been seen mostly in teenagers and young adults between the ages of 12 and 39.

Nevertheless, Putrajaya allowed parents to register children over 12 for Covid-19 vaccination via MySejahtera, even though the jabs have yet to be administered to teenagers.

In Kuala Terengganu yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the government was preparing to vaccinate 16- and 17-year olds. – August 13, 2021.