Haj pilgrims to get Pfizer, AstraZeneca jabs

Those selected to perform the haj this season will be given the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines as they have been approved by Saudi Arabia.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said his ministry had held discussions with the science, technology and innovation ministry on the matter.

“It was decided that all pilgrims selected to perform the haj this year will be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine but if the supply is insufficient the AstraZeneca vaccine will also be used,” he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

When asked about the SOPs for umrah and haj pilgrimage, Zulkifli said the matter would be brought to the National Security Council after Saudi Arabia has made a decision on allowing the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia has yet to make any decision on the haj and umrah pilgrimage for this season. The country only recognises the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines for Covid-19.