KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is considering mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for workers in the health, security, education, and services sectors.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin cited the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994 that regulates employers’ responsibilities to protect the safety, health, and welfare of workers from safety or health risks at work.
“This issue also includes Covid-19 vaccination,” Khairy said in a written parliamentary reply last Wednesday to Jerantut MP Ahmad Nazlan Idris.
He added that OSHA could be used besides the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 to mandate Covid-19 vaccine jabs for these groups of workers.
Khairy also said MOH was considering an “opt-out” for individuals who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and who agree not to receive the privileges offered to fully vaccinated people.
MOH has mandated complete vaccination for entry into public facilities like eateries, shopping centres, government offices, universities, and libraries, as well as for social activities like sports.
“The Ministry of Health will continue advocacy efforts and to provide explanations to the community on the importance of taking the Covid-19 vaccine, besides improving the implementation of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to increase public acceptance throughout the country,” said Khairy.
Education Minister Radzi Jadin reportedly said earlier this month that school teachers who refused Covid-19 vaccination would not be permitted to interact with students face-to-face when schools reopen on October 3.
Malaysiakini reported yesterday that a former soldier, Wan Ramli Wan Seman, has sued the Malaysian Armed Forces for giving him a dishonourable discharge from service over his refusal of Covid-19 vaccination, maintaining that he had the constitutional right not to get vaccinated.
