Religious sentiments reason for low PICKids takeup in Kelantan, Terengganu

 

A medical officer helps administer Covid-19 vaccine on a child at the WTCKL in Kuala Lumpur. -NSTP/AIZUDDIN SAAD

BAGAN SERAI: The Health Ministry will engage Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad on how to address the low turnout for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids), especially in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the meeting, scheduled for next week, would discuss how to approach the people in both states as there are many religious groups who still refuse to get their children vaccinated against Covid-19.

"I will be seeing the minister in a special meeting to discuss PICKids and brief him on the issues we are dealing with right now as I believe a religious person can help in this matter.

"Some of them, especially religious groups, have negative assumptions (on the PICKids). So we want to help them, there might be a misunderstanding or they didn't get accurate information," he said.

Dr Noor Azmi was speaking to reporters after attending the 60th annual general meeting of the Islamic Religious Welfare and Malay Community Association at Surau Al-Asriah, here today.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali speaking to the media in Bagan Serai. - NSTP/SHAIFUL SHAHRIN AHMAD PAUZI

He said it was crucial to reach out to these groups, adding that the ministry has told the Health Department in respective states to remain consistent in its messaging regarding the importance of getting vaccinated.

"I went to the east coast. Two states, namely Kelantan and Terengganu, have a takeup rate of under 15 per cent for PICKKids.

"Others states are now mostly over 30 per cent, with Sarawak still leading with over 50 per cent. Why is this happening?

"This is an example of a 'wait and see' approach. They are more worried about the vaccination instead of being infected with Covid-19," he said.

Dr Noor Azmi added from January till today, over 123,000 children have been infected with Covid-19, with some referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

"Besides senior citizens and those with comorbidities, children also fall under the high-risk group.

"As such, I beg all parents to get their children vaccinated. Do not simply become influenced by fake news on social media," he added. - NST