PETALING JAYA: An additional allocation of RM1bil will be utilised to hasten the vaccination effort for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       The Prime Minister said this would include RM400mil for the purchase of additional vaccines, which would be able to cover 130% of the population, compared to 120% previously.

       “The increase in the supply of vaccines will, among others, act as an additional buffer in vaccine stock and is aimed at starting the vaccination process for 6.4 million adolescents aged 12 to 18 years.

       “Those sitting for their SPM this year will be given priority,” he said in a special address yesterday.

       The government, he said, was also monitoring and tightening controls following the spread of the Delta Plus variant of the Covid-19 virus, which had caused a surge of infections in other countries.

       With a RM200mil allocation, he said the government would open another 29 vaccination centres as well as upgrade the existing ones, set up more drive-through sites and have more home-to-home outreach programmes.

       A total of 341 centres have been opened so far, comprising 320 centres, 13 mega-centres and another eight in educational institutions.

       Muhyiddin also announced that the daily allowance for healthcare volunteers involved in the Covid-19 vaccination process and management has been increased to RM100, from RM50 previously.

       Special allowance for frontliners involved in the vaccination programme would also be increased from RM200 a month to RM600 for six months beginning July, he said, adding that these initiatives amounted to an extra allocation of RM200mil.

       Muhyiddin said RM150mil has been set aside for the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation (Pikas) initiative to assist companies.

       Companies registered under the Human Resource Development Fund, he highlighted, could utilise the current levy balance of up to 10% for the cost of management and purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.

       The government, he elaborated, also agreed to give tax deductions to employers for expenses involving medical equipment and the setting up of vaccine centres.

       “Tax deductions for Covid-19 contributions to community or charity projects are also expanded to cover contributions to vaccination centres,” he said, adding that the government was considering allowing companies to operate at full capacity if all their workers had received two doses of the vaccine.

       Muhyiddin said to ensure the vulnerable were not left out of the vaccination programme, the community level would be expedited.

       He said a RM30 subsidy would be provided for the cost of taxi and e-hailing fares for the disabled and the elderly.