BALING: The government will offer continued care for individuals who suffer side effects from Covid-19 vaccines including those from AstraZeneca, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said the government has data on adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) caused by Covid-19 vaccines and has methods to treat side effects.
He said AstraZeneca had recalled their vaccine globally and the government would ensure that anyone who has evidence-based concerns would get assistance.
"We will be able to identify such cases. We also have a registry... we have the data," he said at a press conference here on Friday (May 10) after a handover ceremony for the Kepala Batas health clinic and a new building for the Baling Hospital.
Dr Dzulkefly said the government would also be responsible for recipients of other vaccines who have adverse reactions.
According to media reports, Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca withdrew its Covid-19 vaccine worldwide after admitting in court documents that the vaccine causes side effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts in more than one in 10 people.
On Thursday (May 10) Dr Dzulkefly said the withdrawal of the vaccine would not affect other vaccination programmes including the National Immunisation Programme (NIP).
He said while some individuals may be sensitive to certain vaccines, the NIP had been carried out for a long time and had effectively bolstered childhood immunisation and prevented the spread of serious diseases.
"The Covid-19 vaccine is another matter altogether. We also have other vaccination programmes such as HPV to combat cervical cancer and the NIP, which has proven invaluable to parents given the high cost associated with these vaccines," he said. – Bernama
