ABOUT half the 779 teachers in Johor who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 have health reasons for refusing the shots, Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Idris said today.

The teachers have not entirely rejected vaccination but want to postpone their appointments citing health reasons such as allergies and pregnancies, among others, he said in a Facebook post.

“Of the 779 teachers who initially rejected the vaccine, only 396 rejected it due to doubts about the vaccine.

“The remainder have decided to postpone their appointments for now due to allergies, pregnancies and other health conditions.

“Some teachers have now agreed to register to take the vaccine,” Tunku Ismail said after meeting the teachers at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, Bukit Timbalan, Johor, today.

He said the meeting also was attended by top state officials, such as state secretary Azmi Rohani, Johor health director Dr. Aman Rabu, Johor deputy state secretary (Management) Mohd Noh Ibrahim, state mufti Sohibus Samahah Yahya Ahmad (virtually) and deputy mufti Sohibus Samahah Ahmad Faisal Mohamed.

The crown prince met the teachers today following state education, information, culture and heritage committee chairman, Mazlan Bujang’s disclosure in the state assembly recently that 779 teachers in Johor had rejected their Covid-19 vaccinations.

The prince’s father, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, last week urged teachers to set an example by getting vaccinated against Covid-19 and protect their pupils from the virus.

Sultan Ibrahim stressed that civil servants, including teachers, should not doubt the importance of getting vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities against the coronavirus.

Tunku Ismail, meanwhile, said he was confident that his meeting today had conveyed to the teachers their duty to get vaccinated before school reopens in October.

“During the meeting, I also shared information regarding the vaccination programme in Johor and the latest Covid-19 pandemic situation in Johor.

“I hope the teachers realise their responsibilities by always setting good examples and hope they would take the vaccine before schools reopen to ensure the rakyat’s health and well-being,” he added. – August 27, 2021.