Should low-paid workers be prioritised in Malaysia’s third vaccine phase?

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Prioritising Low-Paid Workers in Malaysia's Third Vaccine Phase is Advocated to Mitigate Socioeconomic Disparities

Public policy analysts suggest that low-paid workers should be prioritised in the third phase of Malaysia's National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. This recommendation stems from concerns that uneven vaccination rates could exacerbate existing socioeconomic disparities, as the pandemic has disproportionately affected low-wage workers and other economically vulnerable groups. While the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology (Mosti) leads the vaccination effort, aiming to inoculate 70% of the population, specific criteria for prioritisation within the third phase, which involves lower-risk adults from May onwards, remain unclear.
Rationale for Prioritising Vulnerable Workers

The argument for prioritising low-paid workers is rooted in addressing social inequities, including societal, ethnic, or geographic factors. Experts highlight that groups unable to practice social or physical distancing, a category likely encompassing the working poor, should receive precedence. It is estimated that 64.5% of Malaysian jobs cannot be performed remotely, with over half being low-skilled and requiring close proximity, thereby increasing their risk of contracting the virus. Prioritising these individuals is seen as crucial for national equity and ensuring their ability to work.
Concerns Over Perpetuating Inequality

There are significant concerns that the uneven administration of vaccines could perpetuate existing inequalities, drawing parallels with the United States where vaccination rates were notably lower in less privileged communities. Public policy analysts argue that if vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers, detainees, factory workers, and essential service staff—who contribute to infection clusters—are not explicitly included in prioritisation plans, it could lead to similar outcomes in Malaysia. This lack of explicit inclusion for high-risk, yet often overlooked, populations warrants attention.
Proposed Phased Approach for the Third Stage

To address these concerns, some analysts propose breaking down the third phase into sub-phases. This approach would involve prioritising the B40 (bottom 40% income earners) group first, followed by the M40 (middle 40%) and then the T20 (top 20%) income groups. While the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology has not specified such a tiered system beyond voluntary registration via the MySejahtera app, the decision to include teachers in the initial phase suggests a potential openness to prioritising certain worker groups.

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Should low-paid workers be prioritised in Malaysia’s third vaccine phase?

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