JOHOR BARU: A total of 6,923 teenagers in the state have received the first dose of vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) for teenagers on Monday (Sept 20).

       Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said there are 304,695 teenagers, aged between 12 and 17, that have registered for vaccination on the MySejahtera app from the overall estimated 359,000 teens in the state.

       “The vaccination programme for teenagers will be conducted in phases.

       “Priority will be given to those with comorbidities between the ages of 12 and 15, where they will be given appointments at the hospital or health clinics where they are being treated.

       “As for teens aged between 16 and 17, vaccination will be given to them with or without health conditions either at the school hall or any vaccination centres (PPVs), where the school will inform the parents or guardians,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday (Sept 21).

       As for teenagers aged between 16 and 17 who have left school, they can still get their vaccination at the walk-in PPVs.

       “Parents or guardians would only need to sign the consent form for the vaccine jab for the teenagers aged below 18 years old,” he added.

       Vidyananthan also said that there are 10 PPVs that have been selected for teenagers located in five districts - Johor Baru, Kulai, Segamat, Pontian and Mersing.

       Those in Johor Baru will be sent to the Persada International Convention Centre, Dewan Raya Bandar Putra (Kulai), Dewan Serbaguna Jalan Genuang, Dewan Serbaguna Taman Yayasan, and Dewan Serbaguna Labis (Segamat).

       While those in Pontian should go to Dewan Jubli Intan, Dewan Serbaguna Benut, Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Pekan Nenas. For Mersing residents, they can go to Dewan Jubli Intan and Dewan Serbaguna Endau.

       “Six districts have started the teen vaccination programme on Monday, namely Johor Baru, Batu Pahat, Pontian, Muar, Segamat and Kluang.

       “Tangkak will start its teen vaccination programme on Tuesday (Sept 21), Mersing and Kota Tinggi on Wednesday (Sept 22), and Kulai on Thursday (Sept 23),” he said.

       Vaccine jabs will be given at the schools for districts that do not have PPVs, he said.

       Meanwhile, Vidyananthan said as of Sept 19, 92.1% of Johor's adult population had received their first dose of vaccination while 69.5% had been fully vaccinated.