KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has assured that mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are safe, and their use in the national immunisation programme will not be disrupted.
In a statement today, Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah referred to reports from countries such as Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States on the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis linked to these jabs.
“The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has conducted a risk study on the safety issue, based on information obtained from other regulatory bodies and international reference.
“The Health Ministry has come to the conclusion that this type of vaccine’s safety profile remains positive, and its use in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme will not be disrupted.
“Its benefits outweigh the risks.”
Myocarditis is the inflammation of heart muscles, while pericarditis is inflammation that occurs on the layer outside the heart. Symptoms include chest pains, heart palpitations and breathing difficulties.
At present, only one mRNA vaccine – Comirnaty, produced by Pfizer-BioNTech – has received conditional registration approval in Malaysia.
Up till June 13, 2,793,826 doses of this vaccine have been used on Malaysians, involving 1,676,959 administered as the first dose and 1,116,867 as the second.
There have been no reports made to NPRA or the ministry on recipients experiencing myocarditis or pericarditis.
“The Health Ministry has also found that no regulatory actions have been taken by any international bodies, including the European Medicines Agency and World Health Organisation, against mRNA Covid-19 vaccine products,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
“Studies are still being conducted to determine this issue (concerning myocarditis and pericarditis) in relation to mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.” – The Vibes, June 19, 2021
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