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Malaysia shuts vaccination centre after 200 workers infected

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The Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin, on Tuesday, ordered the immediate closure of a COVID-19 vaccination centre in the county for sanitisation, after more than 200 volunteers and workers in the facility tested positive to COVID-19.

The minister also advised those who were inoculated between July 9 and 12 at the centre, about 25 km (15.5 miles) outside Kuala Lumpur, to self-isolate for at least 10 days.

The facility has a capacity to administer about 3,000 doses daily. Of the 453 workers and volunteers screened, 204 tested positive, Khairy said.

READ ALSO: Only 1% of Lagos residents received 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine – Sanwo-Olu

The incident comes as the country struggles to contain its biggest outbreak ever, with record deaths and cases amid a ramping up of its vaccination programme and stricter lockdown measures over the past month.

At 844,870 cases overall, Malaysia has one of Southeast Asia’s highest per-capita infection rates, but also one of its highest rates of inoculation, with 25% of its 32 million population having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“The centre will resume vaccinations on Wednesday after sanitisation and a change in staffing,” Khairy added.

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