Dzulkefly: We’ll import more influenza vaccines this month
PUCHONG: Health Ministry will import more influenza vaccines to cope with the rising demand for the medication.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Pharmacy Services Department will receive 61,839 doses of the vaccines on Jan 20 to cope with the shortages.
“Last year, the ministry already imported 260,000 doses of the vaccines. We also got an additional 92,700 doses on Dec 2 after there were an increase in demand for it.
“The next batch of import of the vaccines should be sufficient enough for local needs,” he said, in a press conference today.
Also present were Health Ministry director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and Pharmacy Services Department senior director Dr Ramli Zainal.
Dzukefly was commenting on local news reports of an acute shortage of influenza vaccine over the country recently.
Dzulkefly then advised Malaysians not to panic over the influenza outbreak.
“Anyone with influenza symptoms, but who is not in the critical group, should visit a clinic first, and go to the hospital only if their symptoms persist.
“Drink a lot of water, get a lot of rest and avoid public places to avoid the risk of spreading (the flu). If you have to go outside, please wear a mask,” he said.
By Irman Hashim
