Covid-19: Teachers to get same priority as eligible recipients in phase two, says Khairy

PETALING JAYA: Teachers will be given the same priority as other eligible vaccine recipients in phase two of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The programme's coordinating minister said the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force had determined that teachers would be givne the same priority as the elderly, those with comorbidities and persons with disabilities in the second phase.

“This applies to about 500,000 teachers, both in the public and private sector, nationwide, ” he said on Monday (April 19).

Khairy said the decision was made after evaluating the risk of exposure and infection in schools, which are now open.

“When we have the capacity, we will start to list the teachers. The Education Ministry will compile the names," he said.

Khairy also added that vaccines will be given to athletes who are representing Malaysia in international competitions.

“This is under the category of national significance and we have seen that this is the case in other countries such as New Zealand that allowed their athletes who are competing in the Olympics to get early jabs.

“Malaysia will also be taking the same approach, ” he said, adding that some athletes in the country had already been vaccinated as they are competing in the qualifying rounds.