Covid-19: More efforts needed to convince elderly to register for vaccination, says Rina Harun

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun. – Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: More work needs to be done to get the elderly to sign up for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, says Datuk Seri Rina Harun.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said hesitancy and a lack of awareness were among the reasons why registration for vaccination among seniors was lacking.

"Many old folks are not sure of the registration process. They need help with registering.

"There are also many who are sceptical about vaccinations and prefer to 'wait and see'.

"They need to know that the vaccination programme is for the good of the people," she said at a press conference after launching the Konvensyen NGO 2021 programme on Thursday (April 1).

Rina said her ministry had started initiatives to get more elderly to sign up for Covid-19 vaccination.

She said during ministerial programmes, registration counters are set up to get the people to register.

"There will be officers to assist and advise the old folks and the vulnerable.

"We are also reaching out to all welfare aid recipients, numbering about 500,000.

"In addition, there are also about 47,000 senior citizen centres," she said, adding that they have their contact information in their database.

Phase Two of the immunisation programme is scheduled to kick off on April 19.

The second phase will cater to those aged 60 and above as well as those with chronic conditions.

Coordinating minister for the programme Khairy Jamaluddin said so far, two million elderly and vulnerable people had registered for the vaccination.

The government is targeting the vaccination of nine million people in phase two of the programme.