KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is ready to work with the relevant parties to ensure that COVID-19 vaccination initiative for adolescents aged 12 to 17 can be implemented quickly and effectively, said its minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.

In a statement today, she said the effort could help achieve herd immunity of "Keluarga Malaysia" (The Malaysian Family) faster.

Therefore, Rina called on parents and guardians to continue to convince adolescents that vaccination is a safe form of health protection.

"Continue to provide advocacy and understanding about COVID-19 to children. I hope parents are always vigilant and always adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) in dealing with COVID-19 in protecting their families.

"Parents and guardians must have awareness and obtain authentic and accurate information about COVID-19 from sources that have credibility to curb false news about COVID-19," she said.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said a total of 76,400 adolescents aged 12 to 17 in Sarawak would become the first group in the age category to receive COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

Welcoming the initiative, Rina said it was an indicator in proving the seriousness and commitment of the government which never neglected the best interests of the group.

-- BERNAMA