KUANTAN: Teenagers in Pahang will begin to receive their Covid-19 vaccines beginning next Monday (Sept 20).

       Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (pic) announced that the first dose would be administered to some 173,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17.

       "The priority is for teenagers 16 to 17 years old, as well as those aged 12 to 15 who have health issues.

       "Also a priority are adolescents with disabilities from rehabilitation and protection institutions, as well as vulnerable adolescents including the homeless," he said on Friday (Sept 17).

       Apart from students from secondary schools managed by the Pahang Education Department, students from state religious secondary schools managed by the Pahang Islamic Religious Department and educational institutions managed by Majlis Amanah Rakyat would also be involved.

       "All of them will receive their respective injections at the designated vaccination centres under the coordination of the district Education Offices and the district Health Offices.

       "As required, these teens need to fill out a parental or guardian consent form, before being allowed to receive the injection.

       "To the prospective recipients as well as the parents or guardians involved, I hope they can provide the best possible cooperation in order to create herd immunity among us, which can help address the spread of this Covid-19 pandemic," Wan Rosdy said.