WITH the US donating one million Pfizer vaccines to Malaysia, a public health expert has urged the Government utilise them well by distributing them in small towns and rural areas.
“It’s good the US is helping us. Now, the authorities must disburse them to states where there is shortage of vaccine supply.
“From the information I received, several areas in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah are running out of vaccines that they were forced to reschedule appointments and have long waiting period,” Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar told FocusM.
Yesterday, one million doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the US Government arrived at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.
The donation is a fraction of 80 million doses the Joe Biden administration has pledged to give to other countries, amid criticism of vaccine disparity between advanced and developing nations.
Touching on the matter, Zainal said the authorities should identify the number of vaccines the states need and disburse them without delay.
“And forget about scheduling new appointments for the people. Just go directly to the rural dwellers and vaccinate them,” he opined.
For areas under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO), the veteran doctor said the Government must increase screening as much as possible and vaccinate those who are tested negative for COVID-19.
“As long as they are above 18 and tests negative, inoculate them whether they are citizens or non-citizens. We need to vaccinate as many people as possible and fast,” he stressed.
Queried on diversifying vaccine sources, Zainal agreed to the idea provided the vaccines were certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
“We can obtain vaccines from Russia too, provided it has the necessary approvals. The objective now is to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible. Let’s not wait until next year,” he remarked. – July 6, 2021.
