Collective participation vital for success of immunisation plan

THE unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on all individuals, communities and nations needs collective participation for a comprehensive solution.

Generally speaking, everybody should cooperate to make the immunisation plan a success through vaccination. And through a “protect yourself, protect others” mode of action and mindset, the nationwide Covid19 transmission chain can be broken.

Thus, systematic planning and evaluation are required before, during and after the vaccination programme is implemented. Among the initiatives that need to be intensified throughout the programme is to provide continuous knowledge and understanding to the community about the coronavirus.

Action must be taken to strengthen vaccine literacy; it is the responsibility of the government as the decision-maker for each stage of the vaccination plan.

To date, various vaccination information programmes have been carried out by the government through the mass media and online platform.

Communication and media experts need to collaborate further at every level to ensure that any information is conveyed more effectively to the public. In this context, the language of communication that provides judgment should be avoided.

For example, information on the benefits of vaccination should be multiplied rather than citing the negative consequences of going without vaccination. Every public concern about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines should receive an explanation.

The government also needs to talk about the national vaccination plan as a whole, including the logistics of storage, transportation and distribution, vaccine delivery facilities and equipment as well as feedback methods and community relations after receiving the vaccine.

Of course, this effort requires leadership, as well as policy and synergy of operations at various levels of government ministries. The establishment of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee and Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force will be able to redouble the coordination efforts required.

Public understanding and confidence in the vaccination plan can be enhanced when information is provided by scientists, public health practitioners and researchers.

What is important is to convey scientific information on vaccination in the form of public communication addressing the diverse understanding of society.

Among the main tasks is to provide a detailed and clear description of every production process of Covid-19 vaccines from the stage of study, evaluation and clinical phase until it is ready to be given to the community. For example, the perception that the Covid-19 vaccine is produced in a shorter time than previous vaccines.

According to the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the early availability is due to the total focus on talent resources, facilities and finance.

In fact, a resolution has also been agreed to give priority to the implementation of the trial process and clinical approval of the vaccine.

In another respect, investment in science over the years, along with the availability of advanced technology, has succeeded in stimulating the progress of vaccine development. Notably at an early stage, the Covid-19 genetic sequence information was shared publicly around the world.

In the national context, the involvement and role of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) needs to be elevated to increase public confidence to prevent vaccine hesitancy, as NPRA represents expertise in analysing all safety and efficacy data.

Furthermore, the media is also responsible for providing public health education to the community. They should closely cooperate with scientists for a successful dissemination of authentic news on the pandemic.

The writer is Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and ASM Associate and Exco Young Scientists Network, Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM)