KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry plans to meet anti-vaccine groups to provide them with facts and information on the Covid-19 vaccine based on authentic clinical studies, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said he could help arrange a meeting that would also involve Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“I would like to suggest that these groups meet us. We can have a talk about it (vaccination).
“Do not spread fake news as you may end up facing action from the Communications and Multimedia Ministry,” he said during Question Time at the Dewan Negara today.
He was replying to a question from Senator Wan Martina Wan Yusoff on the government’s action against anti-vaxxers who had, among others, exploited data on the CovidNow portal to influence others against taking the vaccine.
Dr Noor Azmi was of the view that the groups had not been given a clear explanation on the Covid-19 vaccine, adding that the decision to carry out the vaccination programme was made after taking into account the results of studies conducted either locally or abroad.
He said the ministry had previously stated that vaccination was not a cure for Covid-19, but could help boost the immune system to fight the virus.
On Covid-19 booster shots, he said there were studies that showed immunity against the virus might wane six months after receiving the vaccine. – Bernama, October 18, 2021
