KUALA LUMPUR: The government has introduced a two-factor authentication system in the Malaysia Vaccine Administration System (MyVAS) for people who wish to manually add vaccine recipients at vaccination centres (PPV).
Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme (NIP) coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this is being done to prevent instances of syndicates or cartels at PPVs selling appointments.
"With this two-step system, we will be able to quickly identify any wrongdoings. There will be a time-stamp and a personal ID associated with anybody who adds vaccinees manually.
"Police reports have been lodged (over people who had made use of the loophole around the 'Add Vaccinee' feature in the MyVAS system previously). One case has been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office for further action," he said in an online press conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba today.
On reports of underdosage of the Covid-19 jab, he said the initial case has been identified and disciplinary action taken against the vaccine-dispenser involved.
"There was a mistake and disciplinary action has been taken against the dispenser of the vaccine. Now we have very clear guidelines that at PPVs, they are required to show you the syringe before they administer the vaccine. And that has resulted in very minimal cases of errors in terms of the vaccine doses."
On a related matter, Khairy said a policy has been put in place to ensure all volunteers at the country's PPVs are vaccinated as soon as possible using the spare doses to prevent another cluster like the recent outbreak in Shah Alam.