Health minister Dr Adham Baba said 282,000 doses of the vaccine have arrived.

“AstraZeneca is safe to be used and it’s effective. We will use it for those 60 years old and above and other suitable groups in Phase 2,” he told a press conference today.

“At the same time, we will go through the findings of other countries that have used the vaccine on those aged 18 and above, 30 and above as well as 40 and above.”

Meanwhile, another health ministry official at the press conference said the UK has been giving the vaccine to those aged 90 and below, with no cases of thrombosis (blood clots) reported so far.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has stirred controversy following cases of thrombosis among recipients reported in European countries.

Several countries including Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Thailand have stopped roll-out of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

However, Adham and science, technology and innovation minister Khairy Jamaluddin have repeatedly given assurances that it was safe to use.

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