PUTRAJAYA 15 MAR: The government will continue with the procurement of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine despite reports of recipients developing blood clots leading to death in other countries.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said, there is no official data received from the pharmaceutical company on the effects of the vaccine linking to blood clots and death of recipients.
“The AstraZeneca has not reached and not being used in Malaysia as yet. We will study the clinical data on the incidences and when our experts have made a conclusion, we will announce it. So far our decision remains,” said Khairy at a weekly National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) press conference held virtually here today. Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr.Adham Baba was also present at the event.
Meanwhile Dr. Adham Baba said, Malaysia will receive the delivery of AstraZeneca COVID-19 as planned to ensure the NIP progresses as scheduled.
Dr. Adham said, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) would study the additional documents of the vaccine’s side effects which had been widely reported in several countries and led to its suspension.
“We are confident in NPRA’s decision to approve AstraZeneca vaccine. We have taken into accounts its effectiveness, safety and quality in securing its approval.
“We are taking all necessary precautions and take into account the factors that make an individual unable to be inoculated. We will continue to advise the people on the latest developments and give our assurance that the vaccination programme is a commendable one,” he told Berita Harian.
On the proposed compensation to be paid to the vaccine’s recipients in case there is side effect, Dr. Adham said, the issue will be finalised and a decision will be made in the Cabinet Meeting this Wednesday.
Dr. Adham added, any kind of compensation will be channelled through the “Tabung Mudarat Vaksinasi Kebangsaan,” said Dr. Adham.
In another development, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said there was no reason to stop the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as data showed no evidence of a link between the vaccine and blood clots.
The vaccine received conditional approval from NPRA on March 2 and Malaysia will receive AstraZeneca vaccine this month.-Malaysia World News
