IN order to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Government should give free vaccinations to everyone in the country, including migrant workers and refugees.

“We must understand that the Malaysian public would benefit the most if migrant workers in our midst get vaccinated.

“With that, we will achieve the herd immunity needed to protect the senior members of our families and enable us to open up the economy sooner so that people can go back to earning a living,” Parti Sosialis Malaysia chairperson Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj told FocusM.

Yesterday, Malaysia reached a grim milestone by reporting 5,725 new cases of COVID-19, with the daily death toll reaching two-digits.

Several leaders have argued that the Government should grant temporary amnesty to undocumented migrants in the country so that they will come forward to get tested for COVID-19 without fear of authorities nabbing them.

Last year, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told in an interview that he had suggested to the Government that the first doses of vaccines, worth about RM3 bil, to be given free to priority groups.

In his opinion, Jeyakumar said that the Government must remember that undocumented migrant workers and their families are part of the population and there is no way one could contain the pandemic without getting their support.

“That is one of the reasons why the authorities have trouble containing COVID-19 in Selangor as the coronavirus has hit the undocumented migrants,” he said.

We need support from migrants; documented and undocumented

On that note, Jeyakumar said that the public should also understand that locals needed the support of both documented and undocumented migrants right now if they wish to contain the pandemic.

“Those between 20 and 50 years of age have low-risk of succumbing to COVID-19 but we need to take the vaccines as we may risk carrying them back into our homes, where it can affect our parents and grandparents.

“This aspect does not worry migrant workers (in the same age group) as their parents and grandparents are not here with them. And if you add the vaccine cost, for the undocumented migrants, the risk of getting arrested on immigration charges, the risk-benefit balance will render many migrant workers unenthusiastic about getting the vaccines,” said the former Sungai Siput MP.

In terms of costing, Jeyakumar estimated that offering free vaccinations to all may only cost up to RM3 bil, provided the vaccines are tagged at the price of about RM60.

He added that the RM3 bil was pale in comparison when one takes into consideration of economic losses suffered due to the multiple lockdowns.

“Many people have suffered jobs losses while others have their incomes slashed between 30% and 40%. How long do you think the RM300 from Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) would last for a family?

“The idea is simple. Give free vaccines to all so that we can achieve herd immunity soon. Once that is done, everyone can go back to earn a living. Besides, last year’s BPN payout itself came to the tune of RM10 bil,” Jeyakumar remarked. – Jan 30, 2021.

https://focusmalaysia.my/featured/psm-stop-being-stingy-free-vaccines-for-all-makes-better-economic-sense/