Thousands of companies applying for jabs under Pikas, says Azmin
He says applications have been received from over 2,000 companies with 301,050 workers.
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A total of 2,082 companies nationwide with 301,050 workers had applied for the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas) as of June 16.
“There has been a very encouraging growth in the number of applications. This is one of the signs of the success of the Pikas programme for industry players,” International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said on Facebook.
He said when Pikas was introduced on June 12, he was informed that his ministry had received applications from some 500 companies with just 106,591 employees.
More than 1,733 companies with a combined total of 280,820 employees had registered under Pikas as of June 16, he said.
Of these, 186 companies and 139,851 workers were from Penang while 255 companies and 14,357 workers were from Johor, he said.
The international trade and industry ministry is also evaluating other potential vaccination centre (PPV) venues for Pikas.
“Efforts have been redoubled to accommodate the rising number of applications from companies and accelerate the vaccination process for workers in critical sectors,” Azmin said.
He said Pikas at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort PPV had seen the collaboration of 21 manufacturing companies at the Batu Kawan Industrial Park with 16,402 workers expected to be vaccinated.
He said more PPVs would begin operating in Penang, including at Equatorial Hotel on June 28.
Meanwhile three PPVs will open in Bayan Lepas for multinational companies Intel Technology Sdn Bhd, Jabil Circuits Sdn Bhd and Plexus Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, while another in Batu Kawan for Inari Amerton Bhd will begin operating after obtaining approval from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force.
He said the Pikas PPV in Pengerang, Johor, had been well received by industry players as well.
“A total of 5,123 workers are expected to be vaccinated at this location, which is under Pikas’ Model 2 or on-site PPV.
“In addition, there will be another PPV in Johor at the Austin International Convention Centre under Model 1, which is vaccination at common-use PPV,” he said.
He voiced hope that the programme would run smoothly and end on schedule.
“This will allow us to accelerate the decline in the Covid-19 curve so that the economy can recover and the people can return to normal life.”
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