By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, Dec 13 — Free pneumococcal and influenza vaccines will be administered to the elderly group in Bukit Gasing this Saturday (December 17).
Its state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said some 250 doses of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines will be provided respectively in the programme, which will be held at Dewan Serbaguna Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (Petaling Jaya City Council or MBPJ) at Jalan 51A/227, beginning at 10am until 2pm.
“In this year’s budget, the state government continues prioritising healthcare and focuses on giving free pneumococcal and influenza vaccines, targeting senior citizens as they are the most vulnerable group.
“Please bring along your identification card to ensure your eligibility for the free vaccine,” he said on Facebook.
Rajiv added that a brief health screening will also be conducted by doctors to determine whether the senior citizens could receive the vaccine or not.
“Please be transparent with the medical practitioners in charge,” he said.
On November 10, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced an allocation of RM1.5 million to provide 10,000 free vaccine doses (5,000 doses for pneumococcal and influenza respectively) to ensure the people’s health, especially those at high-risk are well-taken care of.
He said the first phase of the programme began on November 13 and until December 31, targeting 5,000 individuals comprising senior citizens, those aged 60 and below and those who are at risk of being infected by diseases.
