PETALING JAYA: Agro commodities industry players have been urged to work with the government to set up their own Covid-19 vaccination centres to speed up the inoculation of their workers.

       Plantation Industries and Commodity Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said industry vaccination centres (PPVIN) were the best way forward as there would not be sole reliance on public vaccination centres.

       He pointed out that walk-in vaccinations for non-citizens were only available at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium from Aug 9-22.

       “In support of the government’s efforts to expedite vaccination, industry players are encouraged to be directly involved as facilitators by setting up their own PPVIN at appropriate locations, after obtaining approval from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF),” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Khairuddin said the Malaysian Timber Council had provided a subsidy of RM30 for each employee and industry staffer involved in the vaccination programme.

       Companies under the agro commodities sector can apply to participate in the Vaccination Programme for the Agri-Commodity Sector (Vacoms) under his ministry if they have at least 1,000 people, or if they combine with other companies.

       He said the provision of mobile vaccination units was also being discussed with industry players and service providers.

       While vaccinations are free of charge, companies will have to bear the administration cost and the cost of the PPVIN, with charges of not more than RM100 per employee.

       “We are targeting more PPVIN to be opened under Vacoms so that herd immunity can be achieved in the near future,” he said.