KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) inoculation list included television drama producer Datuk A.Aida as one of the Covid-19 vaccine recipients in Phase 1.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said Aida's name was included in the line listing forwarded by APM to the ministry, along with the agency's personnel.
"APM is also in Phase 1, which dedicated to the frontliners.
"The name was given by APM and we had confirmed it with the line list," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Dr Adham said just like the armed forces and police, other agencies listed as frontliners were also required to forward their line list for the Phase 1 Covid-19 vaccination.
Yesterday (Apr 15), Aida became the first local artist to receive the jab.
Aida, whose real name Zaidah Awang, received her first shot of Pfizer-BioNTech, at Dewan Sri Seroja in Putrajaya.
The 51-year-old producer received the shot through her membership in APM, where she holds the rank of Associate Colonel.
The news, however, didn't sit well with some netizens, as they questioned as to why the producer was included among the frontliners.
The government launched the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) on Feb 24. Under Phase 1, vaccines are being administered for free to medical and non-medical frontliners.
The second phase of the NIP is slated to begin on Apr 19, involving senior citizens aged 65 and above, the high-risk groups, and the disabled involving some 9.4 million people, while Phase 3 from May to February next year will cover both Malaysians and non-citizens aged 18 and above, targetting more than 13.7 million people.
Meanwhile, Aida told Harian Metro that she was okay upon learning that her name was listed to receive the vaccine.
"There was nothing to be afraid of, as it is subjective and different for every person.
"Some people said they are going to die after getting vaccinated, but death is certain and can happen anytime.
"The same goes with those who think that there is no point getting vaccinated when one will die anyway.
"It's just that when you get vaccinated, at least it could increase your body's immunity."