KUALA LUMPUR: The low uptake for Covid-19 booster shots is one of the reasons for vaccine wastage, says Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
He said that this led to the expiry of vaccine doses, adding that 8.5 million doses had to be disposed of.
“We will learn from the wastage. It will never be repeated as this was bought using taxpayer money. The wastage could have been used for other development. We had to make the procurement due to Covid-19,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) on the measures taken to boost public confidence and encourage people to take their second booster dose to avoid wastage.
He also asked if booster doses will be given to children aged between five and 11 years old. Cha also proposed that the ministry work with the Education Ministry to conduct vaccinations in schools instead of shopping complexes.
In response, Lukanisman said the ministry will consider the idea.
He said the uptake for primary doses among adults was 98.4%, and of this 69.1% were booster shots and 3.5% were second booster doses —representing a declining trend.
Similarly, for teenagers the uptake for the primary dose was 69.1% while only 2% took their booster shots.
As for children aged between five and 11 years old, the uptake for primary doses was 43% while boosters was 0.2%.
He said the low take up among children is also due to the impression among parents that the boosters are only for high-risk groups.
Lukanisman said the response and acceptance towards primary doses was very good, adding that this was due to the need to stay safe in the wake of the emergence of new variants.
He added that information on the adverse effects of vaccines that could not be controlled and anti-vaxxers peddling claims that the vaccines are unsafe had caused fear in parents.
Lukanisman added that the reopening of the economy has caused the public to let their guard down.
He was responding to a question by Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) on the measures that will be taken to boost the take-up rate especially when cases are on the rise.
Lukanisman then said that the ministry has also allowed vaccination appointments to be made via MySejahtera, through which an individual can choose their choice of vaccine and vaccination centre.
He added that the ministry has also carried out the open vial policy for vaccines.
