KUALA LUMPUR: The Melaka Hospital has refuted allegations that Covid-19 vaccines will be given to non-frontliners at its facility.
In a statement today, the hospital said it would receive the vaccines in stages during Phase 1 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
"The first batch of vaccines will be given to 1,500 recipients starting tomorrow (Mar 2). Vaccinations for the second group of 1,500 recipients are expected to begin on March 16.
"Overall, a total of 3,000 staff will be vaccinated, amounting to 70 per cent of the total workers at the Melaka Hospital.
"The Covid-19 vaccines will only be given to other staff, including non-frontliners, during the next phase of the programme."
The hospital said the vaccinations at its facility will involve frontliners who are treating and handling Covid-19 patients, including those handling coronavirus cases at the Covid-19 wards, mass screening areas and low-risk quarantine and treatment centres.
Vaccinators, it said, would also be inoculated.
Melaka Hospital said 241 of its emergency and trauma department (ETD) staff comprising specialists, medical officers and assistant medical officers, have been listed as vaccine recipients in the first batch of the NIP's Phase 1 .
It said the remaining 100 staff, including 53 graduate medical officers, would be vaccinated in the second batch of Phase 1.