Govt to address AstraZeneca vaccine worries this week

THE Health Ministry will address all issues concerning the AstraZeneca vaccine by this week, said Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

“We will explain the data concerning adverse side effects, as well as the issues and announcements made by AstraZeneca,” he said, as reported by The Star Online.

“There are reported cases of adverse side effects on vaccinations, but not specifically on AstraZeneca only. The government has the data, and we will announce it as it is important to the public,” he added.

He also said that public health institutions were ready to take in any cases of side effects from the vaccination.

On May 3, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry would seek clarification from AstraZeneca on the side effects of its Covid-19 vaccine.

Dzulkefly said the pharmaceutical company must submit a thorough and transparent explanation to Malaysia and the world.

“We ask AstraZeneca representatives to give a more thorough explanation… and I would prefer to be more transparent to all the people and media,” he had said.

“They must be responsible… there is nothing for us to hide, and the same for them.”

This was after UK newspaper The Telegraph reported that AstraZeneca had admitted in a court document that its Covid-19 vaccine could cause thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in rare cases.

TTS causes blood clots and a low blood platelet count.

The pharmaceutical giant is facing a class action suit over claims its vaccine caused death and serious injury in dozens of cases.

Dzulkefly called for an explanation to prevent concern among vaccine recipients. He said the risk of adverse effects was reported at 0.88 in a million doses.

He said his ministry will continue to monitor the situation based on evidence of symptoms, with clinical guidelines to treat affected people. – May 12, 2024.