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KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry (MoH) has confirmed the occurrence of suspected adverse effects following immunisation (AEFI) against Covid-19 at Kajang Prison, affecting 18 inmates – two of whom have since died.
Dr Roshayati Mohamad Sani, director of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency’s (NPRA) Regulatory Department, said in a statement today that the agency is aware of the reports detailing suspected AEFI among the inmates.
The NPRA, which falls under the MoH, has launched a probe into the matter after being alerted about it by a circular from the prison.
“The AEFI reports which were classified as serious cases, including those involving deaths, are currently being investigated.
“At the same time, an investigation is also being conducted by the Hulu Langat District Health Office together with the Selangor state Health Department to obtain complete information.
“Subsequently the findings from the investigation will be presented for evaluation by the Covid-19 Vaccine Special Pharmacovigilance Committee to verify the causality or connection between vaccines and adverse effects that have been reported,” she added.
Dr Roshayati stressed that the MoH through the NPRA is constantly monitoring reports of AEFI stemming from the various vaccines being administered here.
The statement was issued in response to a letter by Hulu Langat district health officer Dr Zailiza Suli which has gone viral. It is believed that it was meant only for internal circulation as it detailed the 18 cases of AEFI reported among prisoners.
The letter dated November 30, 2021 said that 16 of the 18 affected prisoners were given the Pfizer vaccine while two were jabbed with CanSino. They were among the 2,782 inmates housed there who were given Pfizer vaccines and 1,260 who received CanSino. The prison houses a total of 4,185 inmates.
Besides the two deaths, the other adverse effects listed in Dr Zailiza’s letter include three cases of cardiovascular-related issues, four involving temporary paralysis, three of distant abscesses (sores with pus far from the inoculation point), and six inmates who suffered lung infections after receiving their jabs.
Dr Zailiza also noted that the death rate from AEFI – one fatality per 1,391 inmates – is a worrying ratio. She recommended further studies be carried out before mandating additional or booster vaccine shots to these inmates.
Consumer group to serve notice of liability to MPs
Separately, the Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association (PPIM) today urged the MoH for answers about the reported AEFIs and the general safety of vaccines in view of Dr Zailiza’s leaked letter.
PPIM chief Datuk Nadzim Johan claimed that the association has received numerous reports from people complaining about the AEFIs suffered by them or their loved ones.
“There have been many complaints of people suffering side effects after being given the vaccines, so we just want to know the truth.
“We are not anti-vaxxers, but we are instead pro-safety, where we do not want a dangerous vaccination programme,” he said during a press conference broadcast on Facebook this morning.
Nadzim said that many have been left wondering about the true contents of these vaccines and their actual efficacy in preventing the spread of Covid-19.
He then questioned the MoH about the effects of the third and prospective fourth booster shots, which the government is mulling, on the general public as serious AEFIs are being reported from within prisons, which are confined environments.
Referring to cases reported in the prison, he said, “These are reports of (prisoners who received their) second doses, and now before February, we are supposed to get a third dose and now they are discussing the fourth dose and even injecting babies with the vaccine.
If I become Superman or Ultraman after being injected, I would be willing (to get the booster jab), but it’s not the case and we have to take it seriously.
“That is why they need to explain the actual risks; we do not want to just be slaves or disciples to the vaccine,” he said.
Additionally, Nadzim said PPIM plans to serve a notice of liability to every MP, government and opposition, so that they will be held responsible should the AEFIs continue after a national vaccine mandate is passed.
He then urged lawmakers – when debating and voting on a vaccine mandate as part of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) – to follow their intuition and question the potential adverse consequences of a mandate before approving it.
“If in a few months, scientific research starts to show that the deaths were caused by the injections, then they (MPs) would have to answer,” he added. – The Vibes, January 4, 2022
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