80,000 registered so far as MyVac volunteers, says Youth and Sports Minister

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican (left) visiting the Millennium Hall PPV in Kepala Batas on Saturday (June 19). - Bernama pic

KEPALA BATAS (Bernama): Some 80,000 individuals have registered to participate in the Malaysia Vaccine Support Volunteers (MyVac) initiative nationwide since registration opened in March, says Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

The Youth and Sports Minister said of the total, 4,500 MyVac volunteers under the ministry had been assigned to 332 vaccination centres (PPVs), while the rest are waiting for more PPVs to be opened.

"The volunteers are assigned to support and help facilitate affairs, not only of the frontliners at the vaccination centres but also the public who come to receive their jabs.

"So far I am satisfied with MyVac because it is one of the volunteer movements to help the people, to ensure we achieve herd immunity by receiving Covid-19 vaccines, ” he told reporters after visiting Millennium Hall PPV here Saturday (June 19).

He said the ministry expects more MyVac volunteers will be needed in efforts to help the government and ensure the vaccination process runs smoothly, as more vaccination centres are going to be opened in rural areas including in Orang Asli settlements, as well as mega vaccination centres, in the near future.

"The number of PPVs that will be opened nationwide might reach 600, so we expect more MyVac volunteers will be required. I believe they (MyVac volunteers) will be able to help provide support at the vaccination centres, ” he said.

Prior to that, Reezal Merican, who is also Kepala Batas MP, said he visited the PPV at the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), here, which started operations Saturday.

He said the PPV can cater to up to 400 vaccine recipients daily, adding he hoped it will benefit the public, especially Kepala Batas residents.

"USM IPPT PPV will begin by administering the Covid-19 vaccine jab to 50 people today and the number is expected to increase to 400 per day. This can expedite the vaccination process, ” he said. - Bernama