KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue its plan to use the AstraZeneca vaccine in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme as its benefits outweigh the risks.
-Advertisement-
This is amid reports of alleged blood clots and deaths in vaccine recipients in the United Kingdom, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
He said the decision to go ahead to inoculate the nation’s population using the AstraZeneca vaccine was decided in the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) today.
“The JKJAV, among others, discussed matters related to AstraZeneca and we take note of the element of adverse effects and factors linked to blood clots.
“But we will continue with the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country because the clinical data we have leans towards more benefits compared to side effects.
“In view of that, we will proceed with the use of AstraZeneca vaccine,” he told reporters at the ministry’s headquarters today.
-Advertisement-
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had reportedly said that Malaysia is scheduled to start receiving deliveries of the AstraZeneca vaccine in May.
It involves procurement of 6.4 million doses for the use of 3.2 million people.
United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had recently said in a statement that out of 30 people who suffered blood clots after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, seven have died.
It was reported that The Netherlands had halted vaccinations with the AstraZeneca jab for people under the age of 60 after there were five new cases among women, one of whom died.
South Africa and Germany had also taken the decision not to use the AstraZeneca vaccine.-NST