A VETERAN public health expert lauded the Malaysian Pharmacists Society’s (MPS) idea of getting lawmakers inoculated first before administering COVID-19 vaccines to the public.
“I agree with my friend at MPS and it’s a good idea. Lawmakers are the icons of our community and they must set an example to the public,” the Malaysian Association of Public Health Physicians president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar told FocusM.
Three days ago, MPS president Amrahi Buang had urged the Government to vaccinate MPs and state assemblypersons first as soon as the COVID-19 vaccines arrive, as they are the people’s representatives.
“Lawmakers should lead by example among their constituents. This is a must in order to ensure the effectiveness of our National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
“It was heartening that the minister in charge of the programme, Khairy Jamaluddin has announced that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be the first Malaysian to get himself inoculated with the vaccine,” Amrahi Buang told FocusM then.
Convince your colleagues, Khairy
Touching on the matter, Zainal said that lawmakers should volunteer themselves for vaccination as they were behind the formulation of the mass vaccination programme.
He added that it was important for lawmakers to get vaccinated as they are at high-risk, as politicians are in constant contact with the public due to the nature of their work.
“Currently, there are about 20% of the population who are sceptical about the vaccines and with political leaders stepping up, it will boost confidence among the public.
“Our COVID-19 Immunisation Coordination Minister, Khairy, should convince our lawmakers to get themselves inoculated in the first week after the vaccines arrive.
“Plus, we should get media coverage when lawmakers get vaccinated at their constituencies,” Zainal remarked. – Feb 16, 2021.
