The COVID-19 vaccination program will be beginning soon for all Malaysians.
What about foreigners residing in the country, you ask?
Well, today, the cabinet agreed that non-citizens residing in Malaysia would also be give the vaccine for free.
In a statement, the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply assured that priority would be given to Malaysians.
The decision to provide free vaccines to all foreigners were based on these points:
A safe COVID-19 free environment can only be achieved when the vaccine is provided to as many residents in Malaysia as possible.
During a pandemic, providing vaccines is humane.
Records show that a large number of workers who are found to be COVID-19 positive were foreign workers.
The treatment and quarantine cost for COVID-19 is high due to clusters among foreign workers.
Foreign workers have become a part of the community and are actively contributing to the country's economy
Other countries who have also extended free vaccines to Malaysians living abroad.
No one is safe unless everyone is safe
Program Imunisasi #COVID19 Kebangsaan akan turut melibatkan pemberian vaksin kepada bukan warganegara yang menetap di Malaysia secara percuma.
— KKMalaysia?? (@KKMPutrajaya) February 11, 2021
Namun, keutamaan pemberian vaksin adalah kepada warganegara Malaysia.
Kenyataan penuh @JKJAVMY pic.twitter.com/V3pSA5l4aG
"Information and a schedule on how vaccines will be given to foreigners will be announced soon.
"The decision to give it for free (the vaccine to foreigners residing in the country) was made as access to the supply of COVID-19 vaccines are sufficient and exceeds the number of Malaysians who are eligible to receive it," the statement said.
The decision is also in line with the government's plan to provide the vaccine to as many residents as possible in order to achieve herd immunity.
And the end goal is for that herd immunity to happen soon (and successfully).