Where are the updated Covid-19 vaccines?

 

From Wong Yao Hing

The latest Covid-19 Arcturus subvariant has been detected in Sarawak. The public needs to know if, and when, the health ministry intends to make available the updated Covid-19 bivalent vaccine.

Former health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah first announced in December 2022 that the Pfizer bivalent vaccine will be available some time in January 2023. This was after the originally expected delivery in December 2022 did not materialise.

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On Jan 2, health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa reiterated that the vaccine would arrive in January itself.

However, in late February – and again in late March – she revealed that negotiations were still going on for the procurement.

It should be noted that Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority had already issued conditional approval for the use of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine on Dec 13, 2022.

The public has a right to know the reason for the repeated delays in the procurement of the vaccine. The ministry owes them an explanation for the continuous delays in ensuring they receive up-to-date vaccination to be better protected against Covid-19.

An “up-to-date” vaccination status is different from the previously stressed “fully vaccinated” status that we have been accustomed to during the pandemic years.

As we transition into the endemic phase, it is crucial that up-to-date vaccination is available so that people continue to be protected.

Across the world, health authorities – from neighbouring Singapore to the US – have already adopted the concept of “up-to-date” status in planning and making public health policy decisions surrounding Covid-19.

Much has been stressed about transitioning to endemicity and learning to live with Covid-19. Many have compared Covid-19 with the flu when discussing what it means for a disease to be endemic.

It should be pointed out that the flu vaccine is updated seasonally to protect against the predicted dominant strains of each season. In Malaysia, too, individuals may receive up-to-date flu vaccinations at health establishments.

If we are to regard Covid-19 to be similar to the flu, it is only right that people are protected against the prevailing Covid-19 strain with up-to-date vaccination.

The Singapore government continues to provide Covid-19 vaccination free of charge to residents. In Hong Kong, Covid-19 vaccinations are free for residents who meet certain established criteria, such as senior citizens, and available for a fee for healthy adults who wish to receive up-to-date vaccination.

The Malaysian government may decide if it wants to offer the “up-to-date” Covid-19 vaccine universally for free or for a fee. What is not acceptable is for the health ministry to adopt the stance of acquiescence.

Living with Covid-19 in the new normal does not mean wishing it away, or pretending it is not there. It means individuals taking responsibility for their own well-being.

This includes making a choice to ensure one receives up-to-date vaccination against Covid-19.

The government has a duty of care to its citizens, and has responsibility for ensuring that up-to-date vaccination is available. - FMT

Wong Yao Hing is a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.