YOURSAY | KJ's decision to skip Pfizer is commendable

YOURSAY | ‘I presume your other cabinet colleagues just want the best for themselves.’

Khairy to skip Pfizer vaccine to prove a point

Spinnot: So what if Coordinating Minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin takes the Sinovac vaccine after its approval by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA)?

The vaccine has already been approved in 12 countries - Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Laos, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay.

The Indonesian president, Turkish president, Chilean president and Thai prime minister are among the world leaders who have taken the Sinovac jab.

The Sinovac vaccine reported an efficacy rate of 50.4 percent in Brazil, 65.3 percent in Indonesia and 91.25 percent in Turkey.

A lot of negative spins have been made by the Western media about Sinovac's different efficacy rates, but they have said nothing about Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine which reported 57 percent efficacy in South Africa, 66 percent in Latin America and 72 percent in US.

Moreover, Johnson & Johnson's final trials were all conducted by the company itself using the same protocol whereas Sinovac's final trials were conducted independently by its local partners, each using its own protocols.

BrownImpala350: @Spinnot, personally I am wrestling with the issue of Sinovac.

From my reading, I think Sinovac may be suitable for use with lower-risk people whose immune systems are better. For older people with aged and compromised immune systems, I believe that the mRNA approach will offer a better result.

So, the best approach the government could take is to use the mRNA vaccines on the older group, particularly those with comorbidities and use the traditional vaccines such as Sinovac on the younger cohort, who will generate a better immune response.

The minister, being a young and extremely fit person, is an ideal candidate for Sinovac.

My problem then is, if offered the Sinovac vaccine, do I take it, even though I don't believe it will be effective to protect me against the virus, but it may partially mitigate the most serious symptoms?

Or should I wait till later when I am sure you will be able to get a vaccination of choice in the private sector? Other people do not trust the mRNA vaccines based on their own reasons.

BrownShark8874: Your effort is commendable, Khairy. I presume your other cabinet colleagues just want the best for themselves.

The adage ‘cakap tak serupa bikin’ (doesn’t walk the talk) applies to them, who always profess that the rakyat comes first.

MarioT: Yes, good leadership by example. However, I would still wait and see the effectiveness of the vaccines being considered by the Health Ministry.

At this point in time, my choice is the Pfizer vaccine since it has been administered without any side effects.

Enlightened Globalist: There should be a choice of vaccines. After all, it is our body and we should be comfortable with the vaccine we receive.

Exceptions would be those deemed high-risk like healthcare workers, who should be given the most effective vaccines, namely Pfizer. Also, those with medical conditions or a weakened immune system, where only certain vaccines are appropriate.

The rest should be given a choice. I notice that a lot of commenters here prefer the Chinese vaccines and swear by them. Others have doubts about vaccines with new technology.

Let us all choose. Simply have an additional question (What vaccine would you prefer?) in the MySejahtera app. Then the automated computer can do the rest.

The safest vaccine policy is:

1. Pfizer/Moderna vaccine for high-risk like healthcare workers, those above 60 years old and the vulnerable.

2. For all those below 60 years old and in good health, the Oxford Zeneca should be good. Chinese vaccines are an alternative, if approved.

3. For all those who are strong believers that the Chinese vaccines (even if not approved) are the best and safest, they are free to use them. Let’s walk the talk.

Apanakdikato: Singapore received its first shipment of China’s Sinovac vaccine on Feb 23 but has yet to authorise it for use.

Ordering Sinovac from China could also be seen as a diplomatic move by Singapore, but it remains to be seen whether the data submitted by Sinovac will meet the Singapore Health Ministry requirements.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have received interim authorisation in Singapore and are being administered.

If Khairy thinks that he can instil public confidence in any particular vaccine by "putting a brave front", he might be wrong.

The efficacy and safety of any vaccine should be based on peer-reviewed scientific data. The Malaysian vaccination approach of "take it or leave it", based on unproven vaccines like Sinovac and Sputnik V, will only lead to more confusion and apprehension among members of the public.

Our Health Ministry should learn from the well-managed Singapore vaccination programme, where general practitioners are roped in to accelerate the vaccination rate.

It must be remembered that unless the vaccine gets into the arms of the majority of the people in Malaysia in the fastest time, the possibility of virus mutation will increase the risk of more infectious and lethal strains circulating in the country. This might render the entire vaccination programme less or even totally ineffective.

Bewise: The differing opinions here are certainly interesting. I am not sure whether citizens are aware of Malaysia's standing where the ability to obtain vaccinations is concerned. Who are we to bargain with these pharmaceutical companies? Malaysia - the most powerful country in the world?

We can argue till the cows come home, but we cannot change the fact that there is an acute shortage of vaccines available globally - be it black, red, yellow or white. Let's admit it, we are in a "beggars can't be choosers" situation.

We seem to have forgotten about the personal protective equipment (PPEs) saga. How nations were fighting over shortages of masks and PPEs and depended on China to meet their demands. How come I did not hear a squeak from anybody then?

There are those who are for mRNAs, those for good old-fashioned traditional vaccines, and those who don't trust vaccines completely.

Heck! To each his own. What we should be worrying right now is whether we can obtain as many vaccines as we can to cover our country's entire population.

Like Khairy, I am more than happy to take whatever jab comes along. I am really fed up with this prolonged restrictive situation. Wouldn't it be beneficial for everyone if we can go back to pre-Covid-19 days? That we can all go back to our normal lives?

To me, this is more important than the fear of dying from a jab.

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