Khairy receives Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, first in Malaysia

REMBAU: National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today became the first recipient of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in Malaysia.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy received his first dose of the Chinese-produced vaccine at 1.30pm at the Rembau Hospital. 

He arrived at the hospital at 1.25pm and went through the required process at five stations of the vaccination centre (PPV) before receiving his jab, administered by Rembau Hospital matron Salha Abd Samad.

The first of the five stations was for symptoms and temperature screening, followed by registration at the second, while the third was for consultation and consent, fourth to receive the jab and finally the observation process. 

Also receiving their Sinovac shots were 10 Negeri Sembilan-based frontliners. 

Khairy earlier this month said the country would receive 100,000 doses of the "finished" Sinovac vaccine on March 15 followed by a second batch of the same amount on March 22. 

The national immunisation programme themed "Protect Oneself, Protect Everyone" is to be implemented in three phases from Feb 24, with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being the first in the country to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.