MALAYSIA continues to ramp up Covid-19 vaccinations as it inches closer to the target of inoculating 80% of the adult population before moving to the endemic phase. 

According to data published by the Health Ministry on its CovidNow website, 18,295,012 people or 78.2% of the adult population in the country are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. 

The ministry said 232,559 vaccine doses were administered yesterday under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, of which 73,106 received their first jab while the remaining 159,453 completed their second dose. 

This brings the total number of vaccine doses administered under the programme to 40,155,975. 

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has previously said the government expected 80% of the adult population to be vaccinated by the end of next month, by which time Covid-19 would be endemic. 

According to the CovidNow vaccination tracker, the 80% adult vaccination rate is achievable in the next two days, on September 21, and 100% of adults will be jabbed by November 8. 

The Klang Valley, which comprises Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya, topped the vaccination figures with 106.1% of its adult population having been fully inoculated. 

The percentage exceeded 100% due to population statistics from the statistics department not accounting for change in population size since the last census and undocumented residents. 

Sabah has the lowest percentage of fully vaccinated adults, at 54.4%. 

In total, 67.2% of the population, including adolescents aged 12-17, have had at least one dose and 56% are fully vaccinated. – September 19, 2021.