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Govt to decide on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine soon

Apr 09, 2021

A decision will be made soon on whether Malaysia will use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.

The program’s coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin says the relevant agencies will meet in two weeks' time.

He adds that the Health Ministry will review any additional data on the vaccine.

This comes amid reports of some recipients abroad developing adverse side effects such as blood clots.

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Vaccine recipients must still get tested for COVID-19

Those exiting or returning to the country who've already been vaccinated against COVID-19 must still get tested for the coronavirus, in order to be exempted from undergoing quarantine.

The Minister-in-charge of the National Immunisation program says it's because vaccine recipients are still at risk of spreading the coronavirus.

He was responding to a report that some foreigners visiting Sarawak tested positive for COVID-19, despite already being fully vaccinated.

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New COVID-19 cases rise to almost 2k

Malaysia reported a rise in new COVID-19 cases today, at 1,854.

Sarawak, Selangor, and Penang had the highest number of cases, accounting for more than half of today’s total.

Meanwhile, the death toll has risen 1,313 after five more patients died due to the virus.