Arrange for booster shots at workplace, employers urged

PETALING JAYA: Employers are encouraged to arrange for their staff to receive their Covid-19 booster shots under ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd’s Vaccination Centre (PPV) Outreach Programme.

In a statement, ProtectHealth said the programme provided an easier and more controlled way for the employees, especially those at factories, to get their jab.

“The PPV Outreach Programme is one of the ways to expedite the booster dose vaccination, focusing on targeted groups and sectors for a short-term programme of one to seven days, depending on the number of vaccine recipients.

“Previously, most employees would go to a PPV but now, employers can opt to set up a vaccination drive for their employees.

“We also encourage private medical practitioners (PMPs) and healthcare NGOs to collaborate with employers and community leaders that wish to do the targeted vaccination at their place, workplace or at the factories to increase the vaccination coverage,” said ProtectHealth chief executive officer Datuk Dr Anas Alam Faizli.

Companies and associations may also request for PMPs or healthcare NGOs that have registered with ProtectHealth to conduct the PPV Outreach Programme for their employees or members.

The costs of the vaccines are borne by the government and provided free of charge, and employers are not allowed to charge their employees any fee for receiving their booster shot under the programme.

“ProtectHealth will pay the PMP and healthcare NGO for each vaccination given and the provider will be paid for full clinical services.

“Employers are not allowed to charge the vaccine recipients and they should provide appropriate venues and non-clinical infrastructure for the PMP and healthcare NGOs to conduct the vaccination drive,” said the statement.

To date, 111 PPV Outreach programmes have been conducted, with 69 held for employees at workplaces and 42 for communities.

On Jan 9, Malaysia administered 107,848 booster shots in a day. So far, a total of 7,809,058 booster shots have been administered in the country.