200,000 influenza vaccine doses available soon – Dr Dzulkefly
PETALING JAYA: About 200,000 influenza vaccine doses are being brought into the country this month and the next, to meet high demand for the immunisation.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 16,800 doses arrived yesterday.
Another 15,000 doses will arrive on Monday, while 67,000 doses will arrive on January 27, bringing the total number of doses imported into the country this month, to close to 100,000.
The remaining 100,000 doses will be acquired in the next two to three weeks, he told reporters after officiating at the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Health Carnival at the Peladang Building in Jalan Templer, here yesterday.
The carnival is being held yesterday in 11 states across the country to emphasise the importance of health among the public.
Meanwhile, the minister urged all healthcare service providers not to take advantage of the current epidemic by profiteering and overcharging patients for the vaccine at preposterous prices.
He said although it is up to providers to set the price of the influenza vaccine in view of the fact that it is not categorised as a controlled medicine, a reasonable price should not exceed RM100.
“We need to work together to help combat the disease as the demand and supply have become six times higher.
“We have yet to receive any complaints from the public on the matter... but the public is free to do so if they encounter any irresponsible healthcare providers,” the minister said.