Khairy on Covid-19 vaccination: Risk assessment framework being done for first-phase frontliners

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin holds a virtual press conference at his office on Wednesday. -Bernamapic

PUTRAJAYA: A risk assessment framework is being prepared to identify the frontliners that will be involved in the first phase of the Covid-19 vaccine programme, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said the government wants to ensure that those who receive the vaccines in the first phase are those who are really at risk of being exposed to the virus in undertaking their duties.

“Apart from the 300,000 medical personnel, the remaining 200,000 frontliners will be vetted to ensure that based on a risk assessment, these individuals are really frontliners who are exposed to infection, ” he said at a media conference on Wednesday (Feb 17).

The vaccines are set to arrive on Feb 21, which will pave the way for the rollout of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme that will begin in phases from Feb 26.

Asked about the potential challenges to be faced when rolling out the programme, Khairy said that would be logistics, especially as the Pfizer vaccine needs to be kept in super-cold storage facilities at minus 70 degrees Celsius (-94 F) or below.

To a question, Khairy said the Health Ministry would be updating the list of people who will be advised against taking the vaccine.

“We are still updating this based on the data that we continue to get from other parts of the world

When we are certain about it, the minister will announce this, ” he said when asked if pregnant women will not be in the list of people who can be vaccinated.