KUALA LUMPUR – The government provides five online and manual registration methods for the public to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook published by the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV), two online methods are through the MySejahtera application and the special website at www.vaksincovid.gov.my.
There are three methods for manual registration, namely by contacting the hotline (will be informed later), visiting the public and private health clinics, or through outreach programmes for residents in rural and remote areas.
“Appointment information such as the date and place of vaccination will be informed through the MySejahtera application, phone calls or SMS, ” according to the handbook.
The handbook also explained that the vaccination process for those who register online or manually is the same, which includes 18 steps.
However, for individuals receiving a single dose vaccine, the steps end at Step 9 and the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Immunisation Certificate will be given.
The following is the COVID-19 vaccination process:
Step 1: Online registration (MySejahtera and www.vaksincovid.gov.my) or manual registration (hotline, health clinics and outreach programme)
Step 2: Accept appointment date
Step 3: Come to the vaccination centre (PPV)
Step 4: Temperature and symptoms screening
Step 5: Register QR code and identity check
Step 6: Consultation and fill out permission form
Step 7: Receive jab and confirm vaccine acceptance (First dose)
Step 8: Observation for 30 minutes after injection
Step 9: Receive vaccine card and certificate (for single dose vaccine recipients)
Step 10: Monitoring for adverse events following immunisation (AEFI)
Step 11: Accept appointment date (second dose)
Step 12: Come to the PPV
Step 13: Temperature and symptoms screening
Step 14: Register QR code and identity check
Step 15: Receive jab and confirm vaccine acceptance (Second dose)
Step 16: Observation for 30 minutes after injection
Step 17: Receive digital certificate and update vaccine card (for manual registration)
Step 18: Personal health monitoring for any side effects
Individuals experiencing side effects can lodge report at the nearest health facility or via MySejahtera application or the ConSERF NPRA report portal at www.npra.gov.my.
Meanwhile, as of today, Malaysia has access to 66.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility and early purchases from five coronavirus vaccine manufacturers.
The vaccine supply from the five manufacturers will be accepted by Malaysia in stages starting this month.
The two-dose vaccine includes vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac Life Sciences Co Ltd (Sinovac) and CanSinoBIO, while the single-dose vaccine is from Sputnik V.
Vaccination centre locations identified
The Health Ministry (MOH) meanwhile has identified 605 locations to be used as vaccination centres for the COVID-19 immunisation programme which is scheduled to kick off at the end of this month.
According to the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook published by the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV), temporary vaccine centres such as stadiums, convention centres, public halls, universities and suitable facilities would also be opened as needed and the locations will be updated from time to time.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will arrive in Malaysia on Sunday while the implementation of the immunisation programme will be carried out in stages starting Feb 26.
At the same time, 54 locations will be turned into Vaccine Storage Centres.
“The vaccine delivery and storage process at these locations involves integrated operations by various agencies such as the MOH, Armed Forces and other security forces.
“To date, the MOH has successfully conducted the vaccine dry run at the Belaga Health Clinic in interior Sarawak and Bintulu Hospital on Jan 29-30 as detailed preparation before the immunisation process begins,” according to the handbook.
Mild side effects
Meanwhile, it said the vaccine will only cause mild and temporary side effects including pain and swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, joint pain and fever.
The handbook added that the monitoring for adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) will be implemented through ‘enhanced surveillance’ whereby the vaccine recipients will be given scheduled notifications and reminders via the MySejahtera application to report any problems.
The AEFI report can also be lodged by health personnel via the existing system and serious cases will be investigated carefully. For this purpose, a special expert committee has been set up to evaluate the cases and safety issues regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
The National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme will be implemented in an integrated manner involving personnel from the MOH; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; security forces and private sectors, as well as volunteers.
Meanwhile, volunteers registration and information on the immunisation programme can be obtained from the special website at www.vaksincovid.gov.my.
To help the community understand the details of the programme, advocacy and support services will be conducted by various quarters including the local authority.
In this regard, the local authority plays a role in building the local community’s confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, besides assisting logistics matters at the mobile vaccine centre according to the needs of the community.
