KUALA LUMPUR: The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine opt-in programme will be reopened to folks in the Klang Valley in the next phase when the country receives more doses this month.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Kamaluddin said he would be making a detailed announcement on the AstraZeneca vaccine schedule next week.
"We will receive over 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and people in the Klang Valley can volunteer to be recipients. The vaccines will also be given to people living out of the Klang Valley soon.
"I would advise the people not to be worried as once we have the vaccines this month, we will reopen registration.
"I ask those who are not listed against trying their luck by going to the Vaccination Centre (PPV). Only those who are listed will be administered with the vaccine," said Khairy today.
Khairy, who is also the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister, said this after visiting the World Trade Centre Vaccination Centre here.
The Rembau parliamentarian said the presence of those who are not scheduled to get jabbed this time around at the PPV was worrying as it could lead to a congestion amid the concern over the Covid-19 situation.
"I understand there are many without appointments scheduled in their MySejahtera app who have come to the PPV to try to get a 'walk-in' and see if they are able to get immunised. Please do not do so," he said.
Khairy also said vaccine recipients do not need to arrive too early at the PPV as it could cause confusion and crowding at the respective designated venues.
The presence of those who had arrived up to two hours before their scheduled appointments had led to the need to manage the crowd at the PPV.
Khairy said it sufficed if vaccine recipients arrived 15 or 30 minutes earlier at the PPV.
He also asked those categorised as Persons Under Investigation (PUI) and close contacts to Covid-19 patients to refrain from going to the PPV to get vaccinated.
Khairy said the matter was discovered by personnel at the PPV.
"They are supposed to be at home under quarantine as their presence could cause the risk of infection to others.
"Do not worry about the appointment as they can contact us and get it rescheduled," said Khairy.