Khairy appointed coordinating minister for National COVID-19 Immunisation Program - Muhyiddin

According to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet agreed that Khairy be appointed to lead the Special Task Force to ensure that this immunisation program is implemented in an orderly manner.

"He will lead a Special Task Force that manages the implementation of the National COVID-19 Immunization Program, especially issues related to logistics and coordination with states and government agencies.

"This is to enable the Ministry of Health to continue to focus on the functions of health services in dealing with the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic which is still showing an alarming trend," Muhyiddin said in the Prime Minister's Special Message on Thursday.

In the meantime, the government, Muhyiddin explained, will begin the implementation of the first phase of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Program from the end of this month until April involving 500,000 frontline workers.

Meanwhile, the second phase, he explained, will involve 9.4 million vaccine recipients from April to August 2021, especially to high-risk groups infected with COVID-19 such as the elderly and vulnerable people aged 60 and above.

"For the third phase of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Program, the remaining vaccine recipients are adults aged 18 and above, which will start from May 2021 to February 2022.

"This phase is important to form group protection or herd immunity and further control this pandemic as a whole," he added.

The Prime Minister added that more than 600 storage centres which are also vaccination centres will be opened nationwide involving various facilities including public, private health facilities, stadiums, convention centres, public halls and universities.

"Provisions in the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021 will be used by the government to temporarily take over the halls and other facilities for the purpose of preparation to implement the National COVID-19 Immunisation Program.