Conflicting statements on Sinovac confusing people, says DAP

 

With Kelantan deciding on its own not to administer Sinovac any more, Lim Guan Eng asks if other states could similarly decide on the type of vaccine they preferred.

PETALING JAYA: DAP has questioned Putrajaya over conflicting statements on Sinovac after the health minister said it will no longer be in use after those waiting for their second dose are administered the vaccine.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also questioned the government over an alleged official letter signed by Kelantan state health director Zaini Hussin stating the state will ditch Sinovac and go with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at all its vaccination centres.

He said such announcements and statements affected the confidence of the people, not just in the Sinovac vaccine but also the entire National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).

“Does this mean that state governments are now given the autonomy and choice to select which vaccines they will administer?

“If such choices are given, will it be extended to other states or will one state be given preferential treatment over the other?” he asked in a statement.

If this is allowed, the Bagan MP said it will have a significant impact on PICK due to the unequal flow of vaccines to the different states, widening vaccine inequality in the country.

On July 15, health minister Dr Adham Baba said Malaysia will stop administering Sinovac once its supply ends as it has a sufficient number of other vaccines for its programme.

The announcement to stop using Sinovac’s inactivated virus vaccine comes amid increasing concern over its efficacy against new and more contagious variants of the coronavirus.

Neighbouring Thailand this week said it would use the AstraZeneca vaccine as a second dose for those who had received the Sinovac shot, while Indonesia is considering a booster shot for those who have received the two-dose Sinovac course.

Lim said there must be clear communication on policy direction to stop creating doubts among the people, including those who have taken the Sinovac vaccine.

“All Perikatan Nasional ministers, particularly the health minister, with an international reputation for preposterous statements, must be careful when announcing new policy directions without proper clarification,” Lim said. - FMT