PUTRAJAYA: Loopholes in the backup list mechanism that resulted in manipulation of the vaccination appointment system will be plugged, assures Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said police had made two arrests last week and that the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force is working closely with the authorities, especially on technical matters regarding the appointment system.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, however, did not disclose where the arrests were made.

“We are aware of some loopholes in the backup list mechanism and we are working on plugging the holes as quickly as possible,” he said on Monday (July 5).

Khairy, who is the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme co-ordinating minister, was asked about claims that vaccination appointments were being sold.

He explained that the function of the backup list is to ensure that vaccines are not wasted at the end of the day and that initially, the list was only managed by CITF.

“However, the backup list system has evolved. In some states, the Health Department supplies the backup list.

“In other vaccination centres (PPVs), the healthcare organisations (managing the PPVs) will be using their backup lists.

“But, this has to be approved by the PPV coordinator who is a representative from the Health Ministry,” he said.

There were reports claiming that volunteers at certain vaccination centres were selling appointment slots for those wanting to jump the queue.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/07/05/covid-19-loopholes-in-backup-list-for-vaccinations-to-be-plugged-to-prevent-abuse-says-khairy