KUALA LUMPUR – Science, Technology and Innovation Minister (Mosti) Khairy Jamaluddin has called on the public to be whistle-blowers against those trying to jump the queue for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Responding to a social media post by Putrajaya Hospital nephrologist Dr Rafidah Abdullah today, Khairy tweeted that he views the issue very seriously.
“I have informed the matter to Health Director-General Tan Sri Noor Hisham Abdullah so that there will be no queue-cutting among (vaccine) recipients.
“Whistle-blowers may send emails anonymously to me (via) [email protected] and I will investigate the matter.”
Just before Khairy’s post, Dr Rafidah tweeted that the government needs to ensure distributive justice and instil trust in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“Perhaps Mosti YB @Khairykj can consider having an independent channel for people to file complaints & ensure repercussions for queue-jumpers.”
Earlier, Dr Rafidah slammed the government in a Facebook post after certain VIPs – including ministers, as well as assemblymen and their officers – were allegedly included in phase 1 of the vaccination drive.
She alleged that these individuals were given priority at the expense of frontline workers, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, private dentists, and pharmacists, among others.
However, she did not mention their names, instead saying many frontliners are too afraid to speak out.
“Do not deny the rights of women healthcare workers. If they are pregnant, breastfeeding and want vaccination, honour them.
“Don’t waste time fanning individuals with man-made positions. Put these people aside. Professionals work professionally.”
In response, Dr Noor Hisham said pregnant or breastfeeding frontliners will be considered for the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
In a Facebook post, he said there is insufficient data from the vaccine’s clinical trials to show that it is safe for pregnant women.
As such, he added, it is best to wait until after giving birth before expecting mothers receive the jabs.
Under phase 1 of the nation’s vaccine roll-out plan, frontliners are to get the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, which is the first to arrive in the country after getting a nod from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
However, clinical trials have yet to be conducted on children and pregnant women.
It was reported that Pfizer is starting to give doses to pregnant women only between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation, while plans to test the vaccines on children will take place later this year.
Khairy is set to address the issue during a live interview by medical NGO MedTweetMy during their Facebook Live session at 8.30pm tonight.
On February 16, the prime minister announced that all MPs and assemblymen, regardless of political persuasion, will receive the Covid-19 vaccines in the phase 1.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was agreed on by the Special Committee of Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), seeing that MPs and assemblymen are usually in contact with the people in the course of their work. – The Vibes, February 28, 2021
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