KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry will use the MySejahtera app to handle the registration and appointment system for the public seeking Covid-19 vaccine inoculations in Malaysia, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Malaysia will, however, prioritise frontliners for the Covid-19 vaccine, followed by high-risk groups before the rest of the adult population.
He said the public will have access to the vaccine through appointments at selected government or private hospitals and clinics.
"We are incorporating a vaccination registration and appointment system in the MySejahtera app. Those who do not have access to the My Sejahtera app can use a manual registration and appointment system," Dr Noor Hisham said, adding the Health Ministry will not make immunisation compulsory for all Malaysians.
Meanwhile, he told The Vibes that adults are more likely to experience side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine.
He said that adverse symptoms caused by vaccinations are called Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI).
Among AEFI common following vaccinations are headaches, fevers, muscle pain and fatigue.
"Adults, especially the elderly, have more comorbid conditions than children and, therefore, a higher incidence of coincidental AEFIs should be anticipated. Therefore, AEFI surveillance systems should ensure that AEFI data in all age groups, particularly adults, are captured," Dr Noor Hisham told The Vibes.
Comorbidity refers to the presence of other existing medical conditions.
Dr Noor Hisham said the vaccine takes effect six to eight days after the first dose with 95% efficacy. Upon administration of the second dose, the effectiveness of the vaccine is expected to increase.
While some existing vaccines are required to be taken periodically, the same cannot yet be said for the Covid-19 vaccine.
"As the follow up of respondents from the third trial phase is still ongoing, we have yet to receive the result of antibodies persistence beyond three months. Thus, the requirement of revaccination has yet to be determined," said Dr Noor Hisham.
He also said that attempts in Malaysia to produce Covid-19 vaccines are ongoing.
The Institute for Medical Research (IMR) is currently undertaking two Covid-19 vaccine research projects, namely a pre-clinical study of a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine and a collaboration with University Putra Malaysia in researching a Covid-19 inactivated vaccine.
On distribution issues, Dr Noor Hisham said that the ministry will ensure that vaccines reach those in rural areas, too.
"We have initiated discussions with multiple agencies and the private sector concerning the vaccination plan, including coverage in rural areas. The vaccination plan will be implemented in phases to ensure we reach the targeted population to achieve herd immunity," he said. – The Vibes, December 16, 2020
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