Start of immunisation programme a turning point in pandemic battle February 24, 2021 Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah KUALA LUMPUR – The launch of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today can be likened to a shot in the arm for Malaysia’s year-long battle against the pandemic. Reflecting the government’s seriousness in using vaccination as an additional strategy to fight the pandemic, the prime minister himself took the first shot of the vaccine to roll out the programme. Advertisement The vaccine is offered free to the people, locals and foreigners alike, and inoculation is on a voluntary basis.