The Ministry of Health recorded that 80% of youths aged 12 to 17 years old have already received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in the period of two months.
Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysia has become among the countries with the fastest COVID-19 vaccination roll-outs for youths.
“This reflects the commitment of the government and the cooperation from the people.
“Congratulations to Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali and Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon who were given the responsibility to coordinate the vaccine roll-out for the group,” he said on Twitter today (October 22).
Dr Noor Azmi acts as the chairperson of the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force – Adolescents (CITF-A).
It was previously reported that the Ministry of Health targeted at least 80% of the overall 3.2 million youths in the nation to receive both doses of vaccine by the end of this year or latest before the 2022 school session begins.
The website of COVIDNOW reported that as of yesterday, 80.9% of the youths have received at least one dose and 43.4% have completed vaccination.
Labuan (65.7%) recorded highest percentage of vaccination followed by Sarawak (61.2%), Kedah (57.1%), Melaka (55.8%), Pahang (55.4%) and Perlis (53.1%).
The lowest percentage is recorded at Klang Valley (28.8%), Negeri Sembilan (36.6%) and Johor (37.7%).
Kelantan, Sabah, Terengganu, Perak and Pulau Pinang are observed to be within 40% still.
Based on the data, the target of 80% of youth to complete vaccination is expected to be achieved on November 19 with 2,518,000 youths to be vaccinated. Meanwhile, in just a week, the rate of complete vaccination is expected to increase to 60%.
Rosli Mansor
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