CITF explains why it stopped engaging GPs, says may need them in future

CITF explains why it stopped engaging GPs, says may need them in future

The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) today said it would consider re-engaging general practitioners (GPs) after larger vaccination centres (PPVs) ended their operations.

Responding to reports and questions raised over the GPs exclusion from administering vaccines under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP), CITF thanked the private doctors for their contributions so far.

"This includes contributing towards Malaysia's recent achievement to record the highest number of daily vaccinations per capita in the world.

"In line with that, claims that the involvement of GPs will be terminated is inaccurate," said CITF in a statement.

"On the other hand, future involvement of the GPs will be considered to ensure continuity of the NIP because there will be no more PPVs in operations at the time.

"The CITF takes into consideration various matters in operations of the NIP, including the capacity of PPV, the number of required doses and overall vaccine supply," it said.

The CITF added that in the future, GPs could be engaged to meet new demands, including for any recommended booster dose, vaccination for teenagers, as well as ongoing new registrants from time to time.

As for the current situation, the CITF said the GPs had administered about five percent of vaccines under the Operation Surge Capacity in the Greater Klang Valley.

With 107.7 percent of the adult population in the Klang Valley have received their first dose, the CITF reiterated the need to shut down selected PPVs.

"The CITF hopes that all parties will refrain from making any speculations over this matter, and instead look forward to strengthening measures against Covid-19," it said.

Critics, including Klang MP Charles Santiago, had questioned whether the instruction to close PPVs and cutting off the GPs from the NIP were signs of a vaccine supply shortage.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in response to Charles, said the exclusion of GPs was contrary to his own proposal to increase their participation.

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) yesterday also urged the Health Ministry to explain its rationale behind stopping GPs from administering Covid-19 vaccines under the NIP.