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The government is opening up an appointment system to allow adults aged 18 and above to get the AstraZeneca vaccine on a “first come, first served” basis starting first with Selangor and Kuala Lumpur
The announcement was made by Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin earlier today, 28 April, during a press conference.
Khairy stated that the special vaccination centres (PPVs) will first be in Selangor and KL, where the number of active COVID-19 infections are very high.
Pengumuman: Satu sistem tempahan untuk vaksin AstraZeneca akan dibuka untuk orang ramai berusia 18 tahun ke atas secara first come first served. Vaksin ini akan diberikan di satu pusat vaksinasi berasingan. pic.twitter.com/N9NuAtg47J
— Vaksin COVID-19 (@JKJAVMY) April 28, 2021
“We do not want to waste a vaccine that is proven to be safe and effective. But at the same time, we understand there are certain concerns among the public on the AstraZeneca vaccine,” he said.
Khairy added that what has been agreed upon is a proactive measure to not use AstraZeneca in the mainstream immunisation programme, but only offer the vaccine at special PPVs.
It’s not yet clear if a new registration will be required from people who volunteer for the AstraZeneca vaccine and who may have already registered for the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme using MySejahtera
According to Khairy, it won’t be a new registration.
However, his science advisor said that a “new complimentary (sic) booking system will be set up” for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine bookings.
A new complimentary booking system will be set up for AZ bookings. First come first serve.
— Ghows Azzam (@Ghows) April 28, 2021
The Minister, meanwhile, clarified that the vaccine will still be free.
Malaysia currently has about 268,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.