Stop harassing parents who want their children vaccinated - Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has urged certain parties not to harass parents who want their children to be vaccinated under the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids).

"I am aware of allegations that my son was only injected with air but more parents now are confident with the vaccine. Don't discourage parents who want their children to be vaccinated," he said through his Twitter account today.

Khairy also praised the professionalism shown by the nurse who injected his son last Sunday by hiding the needle from the view of his son, Raif.

"The tactic of not showing the needle was very effective and it helped my son to be calm. I pray that all the doctors and nurses involved in PICKids are protected from being slandered by certain people," he said.

Last Sunday, Khairy through his Twitter account shared a picture of his youngest son, Raif receiving the first dose of vaccine at the vaccination centre (PPV) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL).

On the PICKids coverage, Khairy said the increase in coverage and registration showed that more and more parents have confidence in the vaccine.

"The PICKids coverage and registration are picking up. Thank God, parents now want their children to be protected," he said.

Based on data compiled on the COVIDNOW website, a total of 246,869 or seven per cent of children aged between five and 11 in the country had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through PICKids up to yesterday.

-- BERNAMA