By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, March 12: Some 120 personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) including its Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Penrissen Army Camp today.
Led by its First Infantry Division commander Major-General Datuk Dzulkafli Mustaffa, they were given the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“We have received a total of 7,020 doses yesterday (March 11). Those receiving the first phase vaccine and priority to vaccinate our personnel in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu are part of ATM’s exercise.
“No doubt, all ATM personnel are frontliners, but we have to identify who really need to be given the vaccine first, such as those in Covid-19 red zones and along the country’s border,” Dzulkafli said after officiating the vaccination programme at its Penrissen Army Camp here.
He assured that the rest will be vaccinated under second and third phases, adding that family members of army personnel as well as army veterans who meet the vaccination criteria would also be given the vaccine.
Thanking the Malaysian government, Dzulkafli said ATM strongly supports the programme in efforts to achieve community immunity as this will not only safeguard its people but also assist the government to break the Covid-19 chain infection.
Meanwhile, RMAF Commander PU Kuching Colonel Mohd Azwan Mohd Bohari, who also took his first shot, said the vaccines were also flown to Miri, Bintulu and Sibu on CN-235 aircraft this morning.
Nurses Kho Siew Siew (right) and Jaimah Jolhi who are attached to ATM preparing the Covid-19 doses for army personnel.Upon arrival, they will be given straight away to selected army personnel at their respective district. — DayakDaily
