Khairy: Underdosing only rare incidents, those with proof can come forward

 

COVID-19 | Khairy Jamaluddin today assured the public that underdosed incidents involving AstraZeneca vaccine recipients at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTC) recently were rare occurrences.

However, the minister said that others who believe they were also given an incomplete dosage and have strong proof can reach out to the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF).

"For the incident that occurred at WTC, that particular person has already been given an additional dose that is equivalent to a full dose of AstraZeneca.

"We also have new standard operating procedure, where the vaccinator needs to show vaccine recipients the syringe to ensure the required dose is given, and once the recipient is happy, they will proceed with vaccination.

"If anybody has strong evidence they were underdosed, they can come forward and we will verify if that was the case.

"I can assure you this is a remote incident that took place," he told a virtual press conference today.

Recently, a vaccine recipient raised concern that he was possibly underdosed after reviewing a selfie video he took while receiving his AstraZeneca jab on May 19.

Four days later, marketer Anoogrehan Manoharan was properly vaccinated after BP Healthcare reviewed his complaints on the matter.

Another vaccine recipient, Danial Abrar Bestari Abrar, who received a jab on the same day as Anoogrehan, later made similar complaints of underdosing. He has since received another inoculation shot.

Following the incidents, a directive has been issued to medical personnel assisting the vaccination efforts under ProtectHealth Malaysia to show recipients the vaccine-filled syringes.

Pfizer not only given to Muslims

Meanwhile, during the same press conference today, Khairy also denied that a vaccine centre at Desa Tasik Sports Complex in Kuala Lumpur had discriminated against non-Muslim recipients by not giving them Pfizer vaccines.

Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin

This followed an allegation that was circulated online since at least Monday, claiming only Muslim recipients were given Pfizer vaccines, while non-Muslims received Sinovac.

He said on that day, the Desak Tasik vaccine centre had administered 252 Pfizer doses to 169 Muslim and 83 non-Muslim recipients, while 691 Sinovac doses were received by 142 Muslim and 549 non-Muslims.

"This is something that is not true at all and a very irresponsible allegation.

"There was no separation made based on religion or race. Instead, separation was made based on vaccination rooms to ensure there is no mistake," he said.

Khairy said the issue surfaced because, among the Muslim recipients, there were 43 haj candidates and officers who would be on duty for the haj.

He said the group was given Pfizer because the Saudi government at this juncture only accepts pilgrims who have been vaccinated with either Pfizer or AstraZeneca.

"So, in line with the decision made by Saudi, the 42 recipients were given Pfizer on that date.

"We want to strongly deny allegations that there is religious or racial segregation in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP)," Khairy said.

The minister said Putrajaya is also engaging other nations and international bodies like the World Health Organisation to get recognition for all vaccines Malaysia is currently using. - Mkini