Covid-19: Putrajaya wants to reach herd immunity by end-2021, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR (May 31): The government is targeting to complete the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme across Malaysia by December 2021, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

This will begin with completion by October 2021 for states with high population such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang, he said during the national broadcast address to announce the PEMERKASA+ package tonight.

“God willing, by the end of June, we will be able to reach the target of 150,000 doses a day through additional vaccines from manufacturers, additional vaccination centres, introduction of drive-through vaccination and additional volunteers,” Muhyiddin said.

“I plead for those who have received their vaccine booking to be present at the designated vaccination centre. It is our joint responsibility to ensure the country achieves herd immunity by the end of the year,” Muhyiddin said.

To date, some 2.9 million shots have been administered in Malaysia, whereby 1.86 million have received at least one dose. May 2021 saw an average of around 80,000 shots, Muhyiddin said.

Some 12.12 million individuals have registered for vaccination, short of the 25-26 million needed to match the 80% population target for herd immunity.

The prime minister announced a RM40 billion aid package PEMERKASA+ inclusive of RM5 billion direct fiscal injection, ahead of two-week Movement Control Order 3.0 (MCO 3.0) following a sharp rise in new and active cases in the country.

Among others, the government has allocated another RM1 billion to increase the capacity of the nation’s healthcare system and additional cash and credit assistance for affected individuals and businesses.

Source: TheEdgeMarkets