Laos, Malaysia step up COVID-19 vaccination efforts

Laos and Malaysia are working on their COVID-19 vaccination efforts in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Laos, Malaysia step up COVID-19 vaccination efforts ảnh 1A vaccination station in Luang Prabang, Laos (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) –
Laos and Malaysia areworking on their COVID-19 vaccination efforts in a bid to curb the spread ofthe pandemic.

The Lao Ministry of Health on June 12 saidthere were 712,793 locals or 9.7 percent of the population getting the firstshot of COVID-19 vaccines and 385,921 or 5.26 percent fully vaccinated with twoshots.

On June 13, the country logged six newinfections in three localities, consisting of five domestic and one importedcases.

To date, the national tally has hit 1,996 cases,with 1,862 recoveries and three deaths.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the government hasintroduced an initiative dubbed the Public-Private Partnership Industrial COVID-19Immunisation Programme (PIKAS) to cater for the manufacturing sector.

According to the Malaysian Ministry of InternationalTrade and Industry (Miti), as “Phase Four” of the National COVID-19Immunisation Programme (NIP), PIKAS will begin on June 16 with on-sitevaccination at designated factories and industrial locations.

In a related movement, a call centre has beenset up to contact individuals who did not show up for their vaccinationappointment. Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said theinitiative began on June 12 at the vaccination centre in Kampung Ampang IndahCommunity Hall, Ampang, where seven telephone operators had been trained forthe purpose.

The pilot project involved 177 individuals inthree categories: those who have received appointment dates in the MySejahteraapp but did not provide feedback, those absent for their second dose, andindividuals who failed to show up for their first jab./.
VNA

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