Disclaimer: This piece reflects the writer’s opinion and compiled opinions of others on the subject matter. It does not reflect the opinions or beliefs of WORLD OF BUZZ.
After the first opt-in program for AstraZeneca received tremendous support from the public, many people outside of Klang Valley have been waiting with bated breath for the AstraZeneca vaccine to be available at their local vaccination centres.
On 17 May, Science, Technology and Innovation minister who is also responsible for the Vaccine Special Committee announced that Phase 2 of the AstraZeneca registration will be available to the elderly in Selangor, KL, Penang, Sarawak & Johor on 23 May. It is said that the prioritisation is to speed up the process of Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
Since then, many netizens have then questioned the minister on whether there was adequate vaccine supply for Phase 2:
Why aren’t the elderly already being prioritized for the national vaccine plan with Pfizer? What’s taking so long? Why is AZ moving faster?
— ≠ (@2610pm) May 17, 2021
Why only to above 60's while Phase one for the elderly is still ongoing?(unless y'all don't have enough vaccines for them?) At this point, Covid attacks anyone and everyone so just open up to those who want to take the vaccine… https://t.co/775cHx2zeZ
— Kishan D.Buxani (@kissdbuxbunny) May 17, 2021
Salam YB. You claimed that phase 2 vaccines are sufficient (60+) but yet now when an opt in opens you still prioritize 60+? This is an opportunity to vaccinate more people in parallel with the national program so can you please explain the reasoning behind this?
— fez ? #savePalestine?? + #saveSheikhJarrah (@MrFaizAhmad) May 17, 2021
Khairy Jamaluddin elaborated that the prioritisation of the elderly will only be for three days. Following this, registrations will open after 26 May to individuals above the age of 18 in the selected states ONLY if there are leftover appointments.
Many have said that it would be better to just open it for all as most economic sectors are open and going to work is risky enough. A post by the Ministry of Health (KKM) states that the elderly getting infected and dying from Covid-19 is traced back to them being infected by their close family members.
A netizen from Melaka has also wondered about the fate of the Malaysians living with high-risk people in other states who want to get the AstraZeneca vaccine but are not eligible for the second roll-out.
This is insane! The over 60s crowd is already supposed to be vaccinated under the National programme. Given that younger people are proving to be more vulnerable to COVID now, you shld be rolling the AZ vaccine out to the rest of us who want it in the rest of the country!
— Noel Dass (@noeldass) May 17, 2021
Be that as it may, many have said that the main idea behind the opt-in for AstraZeneca is to reduce vaccine hesitancy due to the rarely-occurring blood clots. However, even in the main immunisation programme, there are still many no-shows at the appointments. The Sun Daily reports that 1,800 out of 9,000 vaccine recipients in Kelantan did not appear for their vaccination. One netizen stated that it is proving very difficult to convince the elderly to get vaccinated.
Bad idea… not sure how many above 60 will opt in compare to those in late 20s and above . I’m having hard time convincing elderly people
— RooBaN RaJ (@roobanliv) May 17, 2021
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said that Phase 3 of the national vaccination programme might be delayed due to inadequate vaccines. So that leaves us to question:
“When will I, as an individual, be able to get vaccinated to protect myself and my family?”
“When will the nation be able to achieve herd immunity?”
Looking at the rate of vaccinations in the nation and the delays that have been happening, it might be optimistic for us to think that we will be getting vaccinated by the end of the year. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments.
WORLD OF BUZZ has reached out to minister Khairy Jamaluddin and to the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV). We have yet to receive a response.
Also read: KJ: “Phase 3 might be delayed due to inadequate vaccines”, M’sians Express Concerns
