MOH procuring more influenza vaccines for seniors
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is in the process of procuring additional influenza vaccines for senior citizens, on top of the 170,000 doses already allocated, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said last Friday.
In response to Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran’s question about the limited supply of influenza vaccines for the elderly, Dzulkefly explained that the government initially procured 320,000 doses. Of these, 150,000 were allocated to frontliners, while the remaining 170,000 were reserved for senior citizens aged 60 and above who have at least one comorbidity, such as diabetes or hypertension.
“We are in the process of getting more at a price of RM14.90 per vial. We are still short of 160,000 doses and have already made procurement, but we are still waiting for the consignment to arrive, insyaAllah,” Dzulkefly said during his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks for the royal address in Dewan Negara.
Dzulkefly underscored the importance of influenza vaccinations, particularly against Influenza A, which he described as “the most pathogenic, the most virulent, the most dangerous” strain that has caused pandemics such as the Spanish Flu and Swine Flu.
“The influenza virus mutates very regularly. There is no such thing as a universal vaccine. By summer in June, the most virulent strain will be identified, and the vaccine will be prepared for the end of the year, for October or November,” he said.
Last month, the MOH announced it will provide free influenza vaccines to high-risk senior citizens. The initiative expands an existing programme that has provided influenza vaccines to frontline health workers since 2006.
Dzulkefly said the expansion aims to protect more high-risk individuals from severe influenza complications such as pneumonia, heart inflammation, and sepsis, which could lead to hospitalisation or death.
On current stock availability, Dzulkefly said there are still 29,393 doses in supply across 421 klinik kesihatan. However, around 200 klinik kesihatan have already run out of stock.
Appointments for the voluntary vaccination programme can be booked via the MySejahtera app.
Category: MJN enews
