Two months ago, the Health Ministry granted conditional approval for Qdenga, a dengue vaccine, as cases soared nationwide.
However, many are still sceptical about the vaccine as it is new in the market.
As the stigma over Covid-19 vaccines persists, the revelation of a rare side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine does not help the cause.
Recently, Malaysiakini conducted a random survey in several densely populated areas in the Klang Valley and found many are opting to “wait and see”.
However, it must be noted that the survey may not give the most accurate picture as it involved a small number of respondents living in certain locations.
One resident of Desa Mentari Apartment in Petaling Jaya said the ministry must conduct better studies on the vaccine before asking people to take them.
Alam Long, 57, also said if the authorities can contain the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, the vaccine would not be necessary.
“By right, the ministry and other public health officials should find the cause of dengue’s spread, not tell the people to take vaccines.
“If you can find the cause of its spread, you don't need to take the vaccine anymore,” said the telephone dealer.
Alam said the authorities must find out where the Aedes mosquitoes came from.
“Is it from areas with stagnant water and where exactly? That is indeed their job (to find out). Don’t rely on vaccines all the time as people will definitely object to it,” he said.
Alam said he had filed a complaint regarding dengue cases in his area but claimed no action was taken.
“They came to see and just went back,” he said.
According to public health experts, residential and construction areas are identified as top spots for mosquito breeding, thus causing the rising number of dengue transmission.
86pct rise in cases
On Feb 11, the government provided conditional approval to the Qdenga vaccine produced by a Japanese company Takeda GmbH - for use in individuals aged four years and above.
Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the Drug Control Authority gave the conditional approval after being satisfied with the evaluation of the vaccine’s effectiveness, safety, and quality.
However, the ministry did not say when the vaccine will be available in all public health facilities.
Through conditional approval, product registration holders must submit data on the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety from time to time for monitoring.
The announcement came amid an 86.3 percent increase in dengue cases in 2023.
A total of 100 people died last year compared to only 56 in the same period in 2022.
The latest data on the 16th epidemiological week (ME16) - from April 14 to 20 - found cases increased to 2,321 compared to 1,698 in the previous week.
The number of hotspot localities reported was 63, compared to 80 in the previous week.
Of the 63 localities reported, 51 are located in Selangor, four in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, three in Penang, two in Perak and Kedah, and one locality in Sarawak.
‘Pre-existing condition’
A resident of Taman Pantai Dalam flat, Zainun Ismail, 64, said she was worried the vaccine may aggravate her already poor health given she is dealing with several chronic diseases.
“I am old and need to take various types of medicines due to diabetes and cholesterol.
“So, I worry this vaccine will further harm my health,” said the elderly woman who is also a housewife.
However, Zainun said she may reconsider her decision if the dengue situation becomes as bad as Covid-19 several years ago.
“The government can embark on other initiatives apart from the vaccine.
“The public health authorities should come every week to check near the drains or places with stagnant water to check on Aedes mosquitoes.
“But for now, I will not take any vaccine,” she stressed.
‘Perhaps if it’s free’
A man who only wanted to be known as Shankar said he would probably take the vaccine if he did not have to pay for it.
“If it’s free, maybe I’ll take it, but it depends on the doctor’s recommendation because I undergo dialysis weekly.
“If it costs hundreds (of ringgit), it will be difficult for an ordinary person like me to get them,” said the 42-year-old, who is unemployed.
As someone from the B40 community, he hopes the vaccine’s price tag would not be “excessive”.
According to DoctorOnCall, the vaccine will be available from May 9 at RM550.
Malaysiakini’s check found there are also clinics selling them at a price of RM440 for two doses.
‘If it’s just one case…’
Taman Medan Cahaya flat resident, Faizah Abd Latif, 35, said she refused to take the dengue vaccine as she was worried about the possible side effects.
“For me, if one block has a dengue (outbreak), then maybe the ministry can recommend vaccination.
“Just like before, the people here did not agree with the Covid-19 vaccine but we had no choice. So, if we are just dealing with one case, for me, we don’t need to take the vaccine,” she added.
She also hoped the government would provide more information about the dengue vaccine to “prepare the public”.
However, not everyone views the new development negatively.
A restaurant worker in Pantai Dalam said he was willing to take the vaccine and encouraged his family to follow suit.
“Furthermore, in the area where I live, there are dengue cases. So this is a good move to stop its spread,” said the 42-year-old man, who wanted to be known as Nik Azman.
He added that the only thing the government needed to do was to convince the public of the vaccine’s efficacy, using the studies done.
“I personally hope that the research was done thoroughly and there is no room for issues that would cause scepticism among the public,” he said.
Nik Azman also hoped Qdenga could be distributed for free.
According to the European Medical Agency, Qdenga contains weakened versions of dengue virus serotypes (varieties) 1, 2, 3, and 4.
It involves two doses, taken at an interval of three months. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.