Rivac will begin on July 26 at the industry vaccination centre in Cititel Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur, and aim to vaccinate cashiers, restaurant crews, petrol station workers and employees in distribution chains, among others.

The Mid Valley City vaccination centre will aim to administer 1,500 doses a day and is expecting to vaccinate some 31,000 economic frontliners in Kuala Lumpur.

Domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said Rivac, a public-private initiative similar to the industrial sector immunisation programme (Pikas), will be expanded to more locations.

He said the ministry had received 186,245 registrations for Rivac from 1,396 companies across the country, while aiming for around 500,000 more frontline retail workers to sign up soon.

Retail and distribution companies interested to register for Rivac may do so at the ministry’s website.

“This partnership with the Covid-19 immunisation task force (CITF) will also be expanded to state governments to expedite the vaccinations of frontline retail workers.

“So far, the state governments have agreed to prioritise vaccinations for around 43,000 economic frontliners in their states,” he said, adding that discussions were ongoing with some state governments.

Previously, several retailers’ associations expressed disappointment that the vaccination programme for their workers had been delayed to August, after being initially slated to begin this month.

Alexander had also urged Putrajaya to prioritise vaccination for frontliners in the retail industry, saying the sector played a crucial role in rebuilding the nation’s economy.