The Ministry of Health (MOH) is updating its vaccination protocols following reports of 23 deaths among those aged 80 and above in Norway, following their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the ministry is now collecting more data to take into consideration the age and health of the patients
With reference to reports released by the Norwegian Medicines Agency, the deaths were among the elderly and sickly with a history of chronic disease. Autopsies showed that the recipients of the vaccine suffered fever, purging and nausea which are normal adverse reactions after receiving immunisation.
“Following that, we are updating our vaccination information to take into account the person’s age and health history. The NRPA (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency) is also getting detailed information from Pfizer (M) Sdn Bhd and monitoring what the European Medicines Agency are doing about the latest developments,” Dr Adham said in a statement today.
Health authorities in Norway have warned that Covid-19 vaccines may be too risky for those who are very old and frail and are adjusting its recommendations for vaccinating this group of people.
Malaysia has finalised an agreement to purchase 12.8 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, with an estimated first delivery date in the first quarter of this year.
“The efficacy and safety trials conducted on 44,000 volunteers including those aged above 75 have shown a 95 per cent success rate when delivered in two doses within 21 hours. Clinical research shows that the adverse effects are within the allowable perimeters and only temporary,” explained Dr Adham.
SOURCE : Malay Mail
