Pregnant women in KL, Perlis to start being vaccinated this weekend - Khairy

He said from the 98,166 applications received by the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), some 3,000 appointments have been given to pregnant women in Kuala Lumpur and another 224 in Perlis last week.

"We will give out more appointments in stages according to their estimated date of delivery (EDD). Applications from the other states are being processed and will be prioritised according to the EDD," he said in a joint media conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba here today.

The Health Ministry (MOH) had before this recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for pregnant women between week 14 and 33, and said that they have to get prior consultation from their doctors on the vaccination.

Khairy said CITF had also approved 5,621 COVID-19 vaccination applications from students who intend to further their education abroad.

"Each application received will be processed as soon as possible and before they leave the country," he said, adding that students under this category can apply via [email protected].

Meanwhile, Khairy said 782 health facilities involving private health practitioners have been operational since May 3, with a total capacity of administering 93,358 vaccine shots a day.

"CITF will continue to use their services for our vaccination efforts such as in the mobile vaccination drive with non-governmental organisations.

Khairy also said that phase three of PICK that kicked off today in Kuala Lumpur was implemented after 99 per cent of senior citizens there (Kuala Lumpur) had received at least the first dose of the vaccine.

"However, senior citizens will continue to remain on the priority list for vaccine shots as soon as they register," he said.

Phase three for the Klang Valley commenced today at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium vaccination centre.