Experts: Transparency on safety of Covid-19 vaccine vital

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s transparency in giving clear explanation to the public on the safety of Covid-19 vaccine is vital in ensuring the success of the efforts to end the pandemic.

Malaysian Association of Public Health Physicians president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar ( pic) said this was because it could prevent public confusion over statements from the anti-vaccine movement.

“Any vaccine must have undergone a series of clinical tests, especially in developed countries.

“To say that those receiving the vaccine are merely lab rats is not true.

“Such confusing information will not do any good to those who need the vaccine, especially senior citizens and the highrisk groups,” he said.

Dr Zainal Ariffin said non-governmental organisations would also play an important role in helping the government to disseminate authentic information about the vaccine to the public.

Spreading false information about the vaccine is indeed an irresponsible act and deterrent action should be taken against those involved, he added.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Muslim Doctors Organisation (Perdim) president Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail said the halal status of a vaccine could be ascertained by the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) for Muslim consumption.

He said Perdim also agreed for stern action to be taken against extreme anti-vaxxers who were threatening the government’s efforts in preventing further spread of Covid-19.

“We cannot question the stance taken by the anti-vaxxers, but they shouldn’t make things difficult because the government has done its best for the people,” Dr Ahmad Shukri added.

Last week, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that 9.6 million or 30% of Malaysians were expected to receive Covid-19 vaccine next year. He said high-risk groups such as frontliners and senior citizens, who will be among the first in the country to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, must not be considered as “lab rats” as the vaccine would have undergone large-scale and safe clinical trials.

Muhyiddin gave the assurance that the vaccine to be used in Malaysia must meet the conditions set by the Health Ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, adding that the government would never compromise on the matter.