Towards the target: Khairy (second from left) and Jempol MP Datuk Mohd Salim Shariff looking on as a man gets inoculated at a mobile vaccination centre in Kampung Baru Peti, Jempol. — Bernama
JEMPOL: The government is optimistic that it can achieve its target of fully vaccinating 50% of individuals aged 18 and above by Aug 31, says National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said this was in view of the high vaccination rate at the moment, adding that 29% of the adult population had gotten both doses so far.“Also, 59% of the population have received one dose (of the vaccine).
“I have already announced that on National Day on Aug 31, 50% of the adult population will be fully vaccinated.
“That is our new target,” he told reporters after visiting a mobile vaccination centre for the Orang Asli community at Kampung Batu Peti here yesterday.
In a related development, Bernama quoted Khairy as saying that the government was finalising the standard operating procedure relaxation draft for the fully vaccinated individuals.
He added that the matter would be announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin soon.
Meanwhile, Khairy said he was satisfied with the development of the Covid-19 Vaccination Outreach Programme in remote areas.
He said cooperation from elected representatives, Orang Asli Development Department and the proactive measures of Tok Batin, who offered to be inoculated first, had increased the confidence of the community to get vaccinated.
Science Adviser to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Mohd Ghows Mohd Azzam tweeted that among countries with over one million people, Malaysia is now vaccinating faster than any other, administering a daily average of 1,446 doses per 100,000 people in the past seven days.
