This is higher than the target of getting 60% of teenagers vaccinated by November.

“In 14 days from the start of the immunisation programme, we have achieved 62%,” he said in winding up the debate on matters involving his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat.

Azmi said that, of this figure, about 343,000 were 16 years old and 344,000 were aged 17.

He said this showed that 90% of students sitting for major examinations had been vaccinated.

Azmi added the national Covid-19 immunisation programme for teenagers was being carried out voluntarily and that parents had been given the choice to decide on whether to allow their children to be vaccinated.

“The government will continue to give the best advice to parents on vaccinations and ways to protect their young,” he said.

On a possible third dose and booster shots, he said this would be given to high-risk groups such as frontliners, the immunocompromised, senior citizens and those in long-term care facilities. He estimated that 7.15 million individuals would be involved.

On whether yearly shots would become necessary, he said the matter would be discussed after obtaining results from clinical data and international research groups.

He also said under the first phase of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the health ministry had been allocated RM4.36 billion for 394 development projects, including the construction of 13 new hospitals and 110 new clinics.

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