First batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrives in Malaysia

First batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrives in Malaysia

The 312,390 doses of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine will kickstart the national immunisation programme this Friday.

SEPANG:
The first batch of Covid-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.

The MASKargo flight on a special Malaysia Airlines aircraft with the Jalur Gemilang livery, arrived at around 10am. The flight ferried the vaccine from Pfizer’s factory in Purrs, Belgium and transited at Leipzig Halle Airport, Germany.

The flight also made a stopover at Singapore for distribution to other Asia Pacific countries before returning to Malaysia.

This first batch of 312,390 doses will kickstart the national immunisation programme this Friday.

The MASKargo flight on a special Malaysia Airlines aircraft with the Jalur Gemilang livery, touched down at around 10am.

Science, technology and innovation minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that by March 29, Malaysia is expected to get 1.35 million doses of Pfizer vaccine.

Prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and frontliners, such as healthcare workers, prison officers, policemen, firemen, Rela personnel, members of the armed forces and Welfare Department workers will be receiving the vaccine during the first phase.

The second phase of immunisation will start in April for senior citizens and high-risk groups while the third phase of immunisation will cover those above 18 years old.

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