by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by BERNAMA

ONLY students with underlying medical conditions who have to attend school will be given the vaccinations as of now, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NCIP) Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said.

The rest of the adolescent population will be vaccinated in subsequent phases after the vaccination for the adult population is completed.

Khairy said the move was made as a precaution and to be especially careful rather than taking risks.

Clarifying on the type of underlying medical conditions, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said these include cancer, chronic lung disease, immunocompromised children, as well as other comorbidities such as heart disease and diabetes.

Apart from teenagers with high-risk diseases, Khairy said the government will also provide vaccine jabs to teachers and school bus drivers when schools reopen.

Meanwhile, Khairy also announced that students who will continue their studies abroad and will turn 18 this year will receive their Covid-19 vaccinations starting this month.

To date, 8,615 vaccine appointments have been given to students who will be going overseas to pursue their studies.

“However, we know some of the students may not have reached the age of 18 on the date of their vaccine appointments.

“These students can get their vaccinations as long as they are turning 18 this year, provided their parents or guardians sign a consent form to enable them to be vaccinated,” he said during a press conference on the NCIP development with Dr Adham today.

Khairy said the students can check their appointments through the MySejahtera application.