MOH assures to disclose Aefi data of Covid vaccines

The Health Ministry has given its assurance that it will disclose data on the adverse events following immunisation (Aefi) resulting from Covid-19 vaccines at a time to be determined, says its minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Without specifying a definitive time frame, he said it was his responsibility as health minister, and he had previously raised in post-cabinet meetings for Aefi reports to be made public.

“After all, we (ministry) are not trying to hide anything. We will be responsible to the people and the public.

“(This is because) it (data) is requested by many parties including the public. We have kept (records) on the Aefi, indeed we have a register, including those who have died,” he told reporters after the pre-launch ceremony of Malaysia International Healthcare (MIH) Megatrends 2024 in Putrajaya yesterday.

This was in response to a question on whether there were any reports of thrombosis cases with thrombocytopenia syndrome linked to AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine in Malaysia. This followed a media report released on the matter in Indonesia on Sunday.

According to a Bernama report on Sunday, the National Commission for the Study and Prevention of Adverse Events Following Immunisation committee, the Health Ministry, and the Food and Drug Authority of Indonesia confirmed they did not receive any reports of thrombosis cases with thrombocytopenia syndrome associated with the AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

Thorough and transparent explanation

When asked if he had received clarification from pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca regarding the side effects of its Covid-19 vaccine, Dzulkefly said he was still waiting for an official explanation.

Previously, the minister was reported to have said that the company should take responsibility by providing a thorough and transparent explanation not only to Malaysia but the entire world to allay public concerns.

Meanwhile, he said the three-day MIH Megatrends conference would serve as a platform to gather around 1,000 healthcare industry players to share expertise on the latest health strategies and best solutions through smart collaboration among various parties.

“The outcomes of the Megatrends conference will be crucial for advancing medical science, improving healthcare delivery, fostering collaboration, and promoting continuous learning among professionals,” he said.

Earlier, he also witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Health Ministry and KPJ Healthcare Bhd, which will be the ministry’s strategic partner for MIH Megatrends 2024, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 25 to 27.

- Bernama