KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 11): The government has agreed to extend free vaccination to foreign nationals residing in Malaysia as part of the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee.

In a statement today, the Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Committee said the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which will start at the end of this month, will also involve the provision of free vaccines to non-Malaysians staying in the country.

It said the decision was made in view of the availability of Covid-19 vaccines obtained by Malaysia, which is more than sufficient for the number of Malaysians who deserve to receive it.

“This effort is also in line with the government's stance to vaccinate as much of the Malaysian population in order to allow group immunity to be formed as an effort to curb the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said.

However, it said Malaysians will be prioritised.

The committee said a Covid-19-free environment can only be achieved when a maximum Malaysian population is vaccinated, adding that in a pandemic, providing vaccination is a humane act.

It explained that another factor in deciding the access to vaccination was that the highest numbers of Covid-19 patients were from the clusters among foreign workers (in the plantation, construction and manufacturing sectors).

Other factors included higher cost of treatment and quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients infected through foreign worker clusters.

It highlighted that foreign workers had become a part of the community as they contribute to the national economy, while pointing out that there are also Malaysians benefiting from vaccination programmes abroad.

It said more information on the programme and the schedule for foreign nationals will be announced soon.

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