The task force said it targeted 60% of those aged between 12 and 17 to receive at least one dose of the vaccine by November and a total of 80% of all teenagers to be fully vaccinated before schools reopen for the 2022 session.
“CITF-A will ensure this target is achieved and cooperation from all agencies is required,” it said in a statement.
CITF-A said priority would be given to teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old who will sit for public examinations and those with comorbidities.
It added that the vaccination programme also targeted students in the private sector, shelters and rehabilitation institutions as well as teenagers in marginalised communities such as refugees, the homeless and non-citizens.
“As an initial step, the health ministry has developed an institution registration portal called the Vaksin-Anak-Ku Portal. All public schools, educational institutions and rehabilitation institutions are requested to register on the portal.
“At the same time, parents and guardians of teenagers are advised to register their children as dependents in the MySejahtera application. This is to enable teenagers to obtain their MySejahtera digital vaccination certificates.”
Further, it said the Comirnaty (or Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine would be used for the programme through the two-dose method.
The vaccination will be done through three approaches.
The first approach will be via an outreach programme on a scheduled basis. The second approach was specifically made for teenagers with comorbidities and they will have to be vaccinated at clinics or hospitals that treat them.
The last approach is for teenagers who cannot attend their vaccination appointment with their parents. They will be given an appointment at a nearby private clinic via MySejahtera.
Meanwhile, teenagers in Sabah will be getting their vaccinations starting from tomorrow.
In a statement today, Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said the matter was discussed and decided at the state Cabinet meeting in Kota Kinabalu today.
This was also in line with the health ministry’s stand to get as many children vaccinated ahead of the reopening of schools on Oct 3, he said.
Sarawak was the first state to initiate vaccinations for teenagers on Sept 8, starting with 16 and 17-year-olds.
Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg had said this was the first stage of the exercise before the next phase involving those aged between 12 and 15.
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