Pemulih: RM1bil allocated to hasten immunisation programme, says PM

PETALING JAYA: The government will allocate an additional RM1bil to hasten the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Prime Minister said this would include RM400mil for the purchase of additional vaccines, which would be able to cover 130% of the population compared to 120% coverage previously.

“The increase in the supply of vaccines will among others act as an additional buffer of vaccine stock and aims to start the vaccination process for 6.4 million adolescents aged 12 to 18. Children who will sit for SPM this year will be given priority,” he said during a special address on Monday (June 28).

He also said that the government was monitoring and tightening up controls following the spread of the Delta Plus variant of the Covid-19 virus, which had caused a surge of infections in other countries.

Muhyiddin also said that the government will open another 29 vaccination centres to upgrade the existing centres, set up more drive-through centres as well as more home-to-home outreach programmes with an allocation of RM200mil.

He added that a total of 341 centres had been opened so far, made up of 320 centres, 13 mega-centres, and eight at educational institutions.

He also announced that the daily allowance for healthcare volunteers involved in the Covid-19 vaccination process and management has been increased to RM100 from RM50 previously.

Muhyiddin also said that the government would increase the special allowance of frontliners involved in NIP from RM200 a month to RM600 for six months beginning July.

He said these initiatives would need an extra allocation of RM200mil.

As for the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation (Pikas) initiative, Muhyiddin said that RM150mil has been allocated to encourage its implementation and to assist the companies.

He said that companies registered under the Human Resource Development (HRD) can utilise the current levy balance of up to 10% for the cost of management and purchase of Covid19 vaccine.

Muhyiddin added that the government agreed to give tax deductions to employers for expenses involving medical equipment and for the setting up of vaccine centres.

“In addition, tax deductions for Covid-19 contributions through community or charity projects are expanded to cover contributions to vaccination centres,” he said, adding that the government was considering allowing companies to operate at full capacity if all their workers received two doses of vaccinations.

Muhyiddin added that to ensure that the vulnerable are not left out of the vaccination programme, programmes at the community level will be expedited.

He said a subsidy of RM30 would be provided for the cost of taxi and e-hailing fares for the disabled and the elderly, so that they can get their vaccinations on the appointment day.