Little buzz over new dengue vaccine

 

The Qdenga dengue vaccine is said to be used in Malaysia in a few days.

However, Malaysiakini’s checks with more than 30 private clinics in the Klang Valley, Johor and Penang found that many have yet to offer the new vaccine.

In fact, the average clinic worker still appears to not know about the government’s conditional approval for the vaccine to be used to contain the Aedes-borne virus.

“I didn’t even know there was a vaccine for dengue.

“Often the clinic will only take a blood sample (for a confirmation test) if you have dengue,” said a clinic worker in Penang.

Of all the clinics contacted by Malaysiakini, so far, the dengue vaccine is only available at a chain of Selva Clinic in the Klang Valley; Vijay Polyclinic, Taman Kinrara Puchong; and Columbia Asia Hospital, Petaling Jaya.

Not mandatory

Online consultation portal DoctorOnCall also announced that it will start selling Qdenga from May 9 in four states at RM550 for two doses.

Other clinics sell it at a price between RM400 and RM500 and users need to book it in advance.

“People can make reservations in advance because we also need to get stock from suppliers so as not to suffer losses.

“This vaccine is not mandatory like the Covid vaccine,” said a clinic worker.

The Health Ministry on Feb 11 approved conditional registration to Qdenga for individuals aged four years and above.

Health director-general Radzi Abu Hassan at the time said the Drug Control Authority made the decision after being satisfied with the evaluation of the effectiveness, safety and quality of the product.

However, he did not say when the vaccine would be available in all public health facilities. - Mkini