MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said the country actually should aim at completing the vaccination programme as early as possible, preferably by the end of this year.

However, with the current rate of registrations, he said it was unlikely that Malaysia would achieve its target of vaccinating 80% of the population, even by the first quarter of 2022.

“We have waited a year for a way out of the pandemic and the answer has finally arrived.

“But many Malaysians seem to be hesitant about registering themselves for various reasons even now when the solution to the pandemic is available,” he said in a statement.

Subramaniam reassured the people that there was sufficient evidence to show the vaccines are safe, and that the “benefits far outweigh the risks” because serious side effects from the vaccine were rare.

He said older persons and those with comorbidities should register now as the second phase of the programme, which will focus on vaccinating these groups, will begin next month.

Subramaniam also called on all community, corporate and professional association leaders, as well as social influencers, to encourage the public to register for the programme.

With several countries looking to open up their borders to vaccinated travellers, he said those who need to travel should prepare themselves now by registering to receive the jab.

“The sooner the population is inoculated, the sooner the country can recover from the impact of the pandemic as businesses will be able to operate confidently without disruptions. Sectors that have been shut may be able to open once again if their workers are vaccinated.”

Some 275,851 people have received the vaccine since the beginning of the immunisation programme on Feb 24, according to health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He also revealed that a total of 2,990,577 people had registered themselves through the MySejahtera app for inoculation as at March 7.

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