He said that up to July 27, 73% of teachers have received their first dose, while 67% of supporting staff including canteen workers and school bus drivers have also received their jabs.
As for contract workers, 38% of them have received their first dose, he added.
As for those teaching Form Five students, Khairy said 90% of teachers have been vaccinated and 66% of school teachers from the private sector have also been inoculated.
He also said the Covid-19 immunisation task force (CITF) will work with schools on teachers and contract workers who have rejected the vaccination.
Earlier RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) had asked if teachers would be vaccinated before schools reopen on Sept 1.
Parents and education watchdogs have raised concerns over a possible surge in Covid-19 cases once schools reopen.
As for those aged between 12 and 17, Khairy said technical experts from the health ministry have advised the government not to vaccinate this group for now due to the side effects, according to studies in the US.
“The decision is also in line with the UK. They halted (the programme) after reports of side effects at the lung area in the US,” he added.
He said they will wait for more data from other countries on the matter.
However, he said the national Covid-19 immunisation programme (PICK) would offer the vaccines to those with chronic illness on a voluntary basis.
Pfizer for some
Khairy said that students heading to Australia and Europe could request for either Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines as these countries do not recognise Sinovac.
He was replying to Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai) who had said that some countries such as Australia and Singapore do not recognise the Sinovac vaccine.
She said a lot of Malaysians work in Singapore.
“Can they ask for Pfizer because they have solid reasons? Is there any channel for them to ask (for these vaccines)?” she asked.
Khairy said although people are not given a choice on the type of vaccines they get, for practical reasons, people could request for Pfizer or AstraZeneca.
He said those affected could go to the MySejahtera helpdesk to request and “those who have appointments for vaccination can cancel their appointments”.
Khairy also said the government would not make it mandatory for Malaysians to get vaccinated.
“We are not making it mandatory. All vaccinations will remain on a voluntary basis,” he said, adding that those who are fully vaccinated will enjoy privileges that will be announced by the prime minister soon.
He was replying to a question by Nga Kor Ming (PH-Teluk Intan) who had said that 10 million people have yet to register for vaccination through MySejahtera.
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