PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today called on the people, including non-Malaysians in the country, to get themselves inoculated once the Covid-19 vaccine is available in Malaysia beginning next week.
Although the government has not made it compulsory or mandatory for the people to get vaccinated, Muhyiddin said those who refuse inoculation could face restraints in moving around or engaging in businesses in the future.
"For example, when a country introduces a requirement of sorts, once it has reached a stage when most of its people have been vaccinated.
"The requirement would likely be in the form of a (health) passport for visitors to prove that they have been vaccinated as a move to protect the locals.
"And if you are not vaccinated, there could be a restraint for you to travel and move around," he told a press conference which was conducted virtually here today.
Muhyiddin had earlier launched the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook.
In his speech at the virtual launching ceremony, the Prime Minister announced that the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive on Feb 21, earlier than scheduled.
He said Malaysia expects to roll out its National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme on Feb 26, adding that he and frontliners are scheduled to be inoculated on the same day.
Also present were Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
The Prime Minister also urged the people to register for the vaccination programme and get their first as well as second dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Muhyiddin said once everyone has been protected and the Covid-19 immunisation programme has been executed successfully, the positive impact would be felt by all.
He cited the economic sector, which would benefit from it, including the tourism industry.
"We can once again visit each other and conduct sports activities, but under the new normal.
"This is what I meant when I said the vaccine is a light of hope for us to win in the fight against Covid-19.
"It will open a new chapter with the roll out of the National Covid-19 Immunisation programme at the end of the month," Muhyiddin said.
There are three phases under the National Covid-19 Immunisation programme. The first phase involves frontliners, from Feb 26 to April this year. The second phase will run from April to October, involving high-risk groups; and the third phase, involving adults aged 18 and above, will take place from May 2021 to Feb 2022.
The National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook can be downloaded at www.VaksinCovid.gov.my.