Those aged 17 and below won’t be vaccinated due to heart inflammation fears, says CITF

PUTRAJAYA: The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) says that for now, the government has agreed not to give Covid-19 vaccination for those aged 17 and below, including Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates, to avoid risks of myocarditis and pericarditis.

“However, students sitting for major examinations and have reached 18 years of age, such as Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia candidates, including those who will be 18 this year, vaccination plans involving them will proceed as scheduled with appointment dates set,” said the statement.

CITF said efforts are underway to vaccinate teachers, school staff and support staff as part of preparation for the reopening of schools and will be jointly monitored by the state and district education and health authorities.

“The Health Ministry will also finalise clinical guidelines on the administration of Pfizer vaccine on adolescents who have chronic illnesses and are at risk of Covid-19 infection.

“CITF will announce this once a date on the implementation of vaccination for this group has been decided,” it said.

Also, children over the age of 12 who have registered for Covid-19 vaccination have not been given appointments for their inoculation, according to the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF).

It said the MySejahtera system has accepted registration for adolescence so that it can be used in the future when a decision has been made on this.

“For now, the priority of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme is to complete vaccination for Phase 2 and to improve the implementation of Phase 3 nationwide.

“This includes Operation Surge Capacity for Klang Valley, following the high number of cases reported here,” it said in a statement on Thursday (July 22).