Give clear information on vaccine safety, govt urged

KUALA LUMPUR: It is essential that any information given on the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine be clear and transparent to ensure efforts to end the pandemic is successful.

President of the Malaysian Association of Public Health Physicians Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said this was to 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 those in the high-risk groups,” he told Bernama.

Zainal Ariffin said non-governmental organisations also played an important role in helping the government disseminate correct and 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.

President of the Malaysian Muslim Doctors Organisation Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail said the halal status of a vaccine can be ascertained by the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development.

Stern action should be taken against extreme anti-vaxxers who are threatening the government’s efforts in preventing further spread of Covid-19, he added.

“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.”

Last week, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that 9.6 million people, or 30% of Malaysians, are expected to receive the 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 vaccine, must not be considered as “laboratory rats” as the vaccine would have undergone large-scale and safe clinical trials.

The prime minister said the vaccine would meet the conditions set by the Health Ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, adding that the government would not compromise on the matter.