It said, however, that children aged five to 12 who received their first dose before the deadline, will still get their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
In a statement, deputy health minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said starting from May 16, parents can still get their children vaccinated but they would have to pay for the Sinovac vaccine at private healthcare facilities.
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“With this announcement, parents have until May 15 to decide whether to get their children vaccinated. After this date, the Pfizer vaccine for children will no longer be offered in any public and private health facility in Malaysia.
“However, the Sinovac vaccine can still be obtained for a fee at private healthcare facilities,” he said.
Noor Azmi said this decision did not involve children born in 2017 and those who have not reached the age of five as of May 15, adding that children in this category can get the Covid-19 vaccination by registering in the MySejahtera application.
He also said the vaccination details for this group will be clarified in the near future.
“In preparation for the deadline, state health departments have taken a more direct approach towards getting more children in the age group vaccinated.
“Parents who have registered their children in MySejahtera but have not yet been vaccinated will be contacted by health workers either by phone, social media, or home visits,” he said, adding that appointment dates will be given before the deadline.
Noor Azmi added that parents who have not registered their children can do it no later than May 8.
“I urge parents not to miss the opportunity to get the vaccine for free through PICKids before the deadline for the first dose. Choose to vaccinate your child to avoid severe complications from Covid-19,” he said.
Noor Azmi also said the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force for Children (CITF-C) has decided to remove the clause that parents are responsible for the risks that may occur to their children.
“The abolition of this clause is intended to avoid confusion and prove that the ministry is always ready to provide appropriate health assistance in the event of related side effects as a result of the vaccine,” he said.
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