Selangor’s influenza programme excludes foreigners and refugees, with vaccinations currently focused on healthcare workers and high-risk senior citizens.
SHAH ALAM: Foreigners and refugees in Selangor are not eligible for vaccination under the state or federal influenza immunisation programme.
State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the Ministry of Health is currently running the programme for healthcare workers and senior citizens aged 60 and above with comorbidities.
“Those who are not part of the eligible groups, including foreigners and refugees, are advised to obtain the influenza vaccine at private health facilities,” she told the State Legislative Assembly.
She was responding to a question from Mohd Shafie Ngah (PN-Sungai Ramal) about public influenza immunisation for such groups in Selangor.
Meanwhile, Jamaliah said the state government would assess the need to expand the programme to five other districts based on health assessments.
If expansion is needed next year, the state government would focus on selected primary schools in uncovered districts, prioritising those with certain risk factors.
“Among the factors taken into account are the influenza infection rate, population density and the availability of vaccination facilities,” she said.
The programme will also involve vulnerable and high-risk groups, including the elderly and individuals with chronic diseases.
She was responding to Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim (PH-Kota Damansara) regarding plans to expand the programme to all districts in 2026.
On Nov 2, Jamaliah announced the state government would launch a free influenza vaccination programme in four districts with the highest infection rates.
The districts are Petaling, Klang, Gombak and Hulu Langat.
The programme aims to reach 12,500 students from B40 families with an allocation of RM1 million.
