KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has lodged several police reports against anti-vaccine groups who spread false information that threaten public health.
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a tweet that he hoped follow-up action, including investigation and prosecution, could be expedited.
“These groups continue to spread false news, threaten public health, and are annoying,” Khairy said in a tweet quoting medical practitioner Dr Sakinah Sulong.
Dr Sakinah had tweeted: “Am I the only one who thinks the anti-vaccine group in Malaysia is completely immune?”
She attached a screenshot of an apparently anti-vaccine group on Telegram.
Pihak @KKMPutrajaya telah membuat beberapa laporan polis terhadap kumpulan anti-vaksin. Kami harap tindakan susulan (sisatan, pendakwaan, dll) dapat disegerakan. Kumpulan ini terus menyebarkan berita palsu, mengancam kesihatan awam dan annoying. https://t.co/rdAKlUNEFZ
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) October 15, 2021
In another tweet, Khairy noted that as of yesterday, 5,410 Covid-19 vaccine booster doses have been given mainly to medical frontliners.
“Senior citizens will start receiving their booster shots at nearby GP clinics soon,” he said.
On Wednesday, Khairy said his ministry will start administering the Covid-19 vaccine booster dose to senior citizens aged 60 and above and frontliners who have been fully vaccinated at least six months ago.
Eligible individuals will be informed through the MySejahtera app. Meanwhile, those who do not have the app will receive announcements via text messages or phone calls from vaccination centres.
Booster doses are given on a voluntary basis and are free under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to ensure optimum protection for vaccine recipients. – Bernama, October 15, 2021
