Malaysia’s Covid-19 Vaccine is Free For All, Including Foreigners, Undocumented Migrants & More

By Karissa Lund  •  11 Feb 2021 in News

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Putrajaya announced today (11 Feb) that Malaysia will make the Covid-19 vaccine free for all. This includes undocumented foreigners, non-citizens, diplomats, students, UNHCR cardholders, expatriates, foreign spouses and children.

However, Malaysian citizens would still be given priority to receive the Covid-19 vaccines and that the schedule and information for non-citizens will be released soon.

According to the statement posted by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Committee said that the decision to include foreign nationals in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme is in line with its campaign theme of ‘Protect Oneself, Protect All’.

Cabinet has decided that foreign citizens residing in Malaysia will receive COVID-19 vaccines free under the National Immunisation Programme. This will include diplomats, expatriates, students, foreign spouses & children, foreign workers & UNHCR card holders. pic.twitter.com/jWiZb3nIQ4

— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) February 11, 2021

“This decision to grant free vaccinations to foreign nationals living in Malaysia was also made because Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccine supply is more than sufficient and actually exceeds the number of Malaysian citizens who are eligible to receive it.

“This decision will help facilitate the giving of vaccines to non-citizens and assist in the success of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme,” it wrote.

It added that the decision also takes into consideration several other factors, such as achieving herd immunity, the number of Covid-19 patients and clusters from foreign workers, the cost of treating patients who were infected by foreign workers, the fact that foreign workers do contribute to the Malaysian economy, as well as following the lead of other countries, who have vaccinated Malaysian citizens at zero cost.

If you’re wondering when you’ll get the jab, click here for Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccine schedule.