Govt aiming for 50% of adult population to be fully vaccinated by Aug 31

The government is optimistic about achieving its target of fully vaccinating 50% of individuals aged 18 and above by Aug 31, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

He said this was in view of the high vaccination rate, adding that 29% of the adult population had received both doses of vaccine so far.

“Also, 59% of the population have received one dose (of vaccine).

“I have already announced that on the National Day on Aug 31, 50% of the adult population will be fully vaccinated. That is our new target,” he told reporters after visiting the mobile vaccination centre for the Orang Asli community at Kampung Batu Peti in Jempol today.

A total of 20,533,660 vaccine doses had been administered in the country as of yesterday, involving 13.8 million first jabs with 6.7 million having completed both doses.

Khairy also said the operation of walk-in vaccinations would be expanded to other states soon, with priority given to senior citizens.

He said announcements would be made depending on the supply of vaccines in the country.

“We will announce walk-in vaccinations for senior citizens in most states and I think almost all states will implement the method in the near future,” he said.

Khairy added that the government is finalising the draft of the relaxation of SOPs for fully vaccinated individuals, with an announcement to be made soon by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said he was satisfied with the development of the Covid-19 Vaccination Outreach Programme in remote areas, especially in Orang Asli settlements.

He said cooperation from elected representatives, the Orang Asli Development Department as well as the proactive measures of Tok Batins who had offered to be inoculated first had increased the confidence of the community to get vaccinated.