Malaysia has launched its Covid-19 inoculation programme, which authorities hope will rein in a spike in infections and help revive an economy that recorded its worst slump in over two decades last year, Reuters reports.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was the first to be given the vaccine, developed by US drugmaker Pfizer and German partner BioNTech, as part of government efforts to reassure people of the vaccine’s safety.

“I am confident this vaccine is safe and effective,” Muhyiddin said, adding that the public should have faith in his government’s efforts to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin receives the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic in Putrajaya, Malaysia, February 24. — Reuters
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin receives the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic in Putrajaya, Malaysia, February 24. — Reuters

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