PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has been urged to reach out to the elderly, who are not mobile and in poor health, for the flu vaccination programme, which starts today.
Nursing home operator Eugene Wong Sai Kong, who applauded the exercise for those aged 60 and above, said a large number of residents at senior care facilities suffer from various health issues that have rendered them immobile.
“About 95% of the 250 residents at our nursing homes are not fit to travel to be vaccinated.
“Their poor mental health also impedes their ability to use a smartphone to register for the programme via MySejahtera.
“There should be no need to register and any Malaysian above 60 should be eligible to receive the jab.
“We hope the Health Ministry will dispatch mobile clinics to carry out the exercise at all nursing homes,” he said in an interview.
Prison Fellowship Malaysia executive director Prem Kumar said the flu vaccination exercise should also be extended to prisoners nationwide as they are among those who are most vulnerable to contracting the bug.
“All prisons have clinics and registered doctors. The vaccination should be opened for all prisoners, especially those in their 60s,” said the founder of the Sabah-based non-governmental organisation that assists ex-convicts reintegrate with society.
National Patriot Association president Lt-Col (Rtd) Datuk Zarazilah Mohd Ali said flu cases have become increasingly common in recent weeks and initiatives to counter the situation are welcome.
However, he said some members of the organisation were cautious of the vaccine after news reports of alleged side effects.
“We hope the Health Ministry will come forward with a clearer explanation so that people are convinced and confident of receiving the vaccine,” he said.
Santok Singh, of the Golden Peacock Nursing Home in Penang, said the ministry should visit care homes for the elderly to administer flu jabs, adding that with the experience from Covid-19, it is important to get them vaccinated.
“Many are not mobile and bedridden,” he said.
Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia president Delren Terrence Douglas said the ministry had conducted mobile Covid-19 vaccination programmes.
“Why not do the same thing again? They would have the same list of registered centres and charity homes to get the elderly vaccinated,” he said.
The majority of residents either have dementia, are immobile or have no relatives, he added.
Delren also said MySejahtera may not be a convenient means of registration as some may have deleted the app, may need access to a phone to use the app or would need help from others to register.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the flu vaccination for senior citizens is currently offered at health clinics by appointment only.
“The influenza vaccination for at-risk senior citizens will commence on Feb 18, 2025.
“Vaccination is entirely voluntary, requiring seniors to apply for it.
“Currently, the Health Ministry is offering the vaccine to senior citizens by appointment at selected health clinics only,” he said in response to a query from The Star.
On Feb 10, Dzulkefly announced the expansion of the Influenza Immunisation Programme, which was launched in 2006, to cover not only front-line healthcare workers but also senior citizens aged 60 and above with at least one chronic illness.
