One for the album: Muhamad Aiman Hakim Hosni (right), 10, posing for the camera after receiving his second vaccine dose under PICKids at Tapak Expo Seberang Jaya, Penang. With him is his brother Muhamad Aidi Amshyar, seven. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Parents whose children turn five after May 31 can still register for the first dose of their Covid-19 vaccination via MySejahtera.
ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Dr Anas Alam Faizli said these parents have until Jan 15, 2023, to book the first dose for their children via the app, for free.
“The first-dose bookings for children currently aged from five years to below 12 will no longer be accepted past May 31,” he reiterated.
The National Covid-19 Immun- isation Programme for Children (PICKids) was initially slated to end on May 15 but was extended to May 31.
After the deadline, parents wishing to get their children vaccinated will have to get the jab from the private sector for a fee.
Dr Anas said all the first-dose appointments for the above group dated after May 31 will not be valid and the public will need to walk in to the nearest Health Ministry clinics to be attended to on a “first come, first served” basis.
“For those in this age group who contracted Covid-19, they may receive their first dose of vaccine six months after recovery or latest by Aug 30,” he added.
On the fee that will be imposed on vaccines administered by the private sector, he said ProtectHealth does not monitor privately purchased vaccines.
“Charges are subject to the providers. Only the one by Sinovac is offered as a privately purchased vaccine.
“For now, the Pfizer vaccine for children is only supplied via vaccination centres under PICKids,” he added.
However, Dr Anas noted that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and Health Ministries have set a ceiling price for Sinovac’s CoronaVac, which is capped at RM77 at retail level and RM62 at wholesale level.
The amount does not include service fees and the cost of disposable items used in the vaccination process.
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said there has yet to be a directive post-May 31.
“We are not sure what the dynamics will be from June 1 onwards,” he said.
He urged parents to get free vaccination for their children while the option is still available.
Dr Kuljit added that it is also up to individual private hospitals if they want to carry on with vaccinations after the deadline.
“If a hospital wants to carry on then it may have to negotiate with the government,” he said.
Consultant paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS said vaccination against Covid-19 has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of getting multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and cut the risk of long Covid by 50%.
“All parents should utilise the PICK vaccination service right now, especially those who have children in the high-risk category.
“Adolescents who have immunodeficiency or high-risk conditions should also get a third dose,” he said.
While vaccination is one aspect of protecting children, he reminded everyone to continue to adopt precautionary measures such as using quality face masks, improving ventilation in classrooms by using reliable high-efficiency particulate air (Hepa)-based portable air cleaners and avoiding crowded indoor locations.
According to the CovidNow portal, 1,137,100 or 32% of children aged five to 11 have completed their vaccination under PICKids as at May 25, and 1,687,515 children have received at least one dose.
