JOHOR BAHRU: The National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme is hoped to facilitate the efforts to reopen the Malaysia-Singapore border, thus boosting the cross-border economy.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said once the people of both countries have been vaccinated, the movement between the two countries would be safer.

"Thankfully, Johor has received the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine last Sunday.

"The vaccine will definitely bring new light and hope for the country, especially Johor, in dealing with and breaking the COVID-19 chain which has been haunting the world for over a year," he said in a statement today.

He said the state government was prepared to implement the immunisation programme including by identifying the vaccination centres in every district and preparing trained state Health Department's personnel to provide the vaccine jabs.

According to Hasni, he and the state executive councillors would be the first group to take the vaccine when the programme begins in Johor.

He said with the launch of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme by the government, the people would be able to live confidently and safely.

"At the same time, I hope the Johor people will continue to adhere to the standard operating procedures of the Movement Control Order. Let's work together to break the COVID-19 pandemic chain," he said.

Last Sunday, Johor had received a portion of the COVID-19 vaccine supply to be placed in four Vaccine Storage Centres in the state.

The supply, which is part of the first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, arrived in Johor Bahru from Singapore via the Johor Causeway.

-- BERNAMA