PETALING JAYA: Eighteen medical societies and 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have launched a petition urging the government to provide free annual influenza vaccination for senior citizens, especially those in the B40 group.
In a joint statement, the Malaysian Influenza Working Group (MIWG) and the Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine said the move came in light of the recent increase in influenza cases in the country, which according to the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia on July 29, had threatened to overwhelm even private hospitals as there were substantial admissions on account of the flu.
