GEORGE TOWN: The free influenza vaccination programme came just in time for eight holidaymakers preparing to visit Shanghai later this month.
Concerned about catching the flu due to the cold weather in the Chinese city, Lim Toh Kheng, 65, was among those who came to the health clinic in Jalan Angsana to receive the vaccine yesterday.
“We applied through the MySejahtera app upon learning that the government was offering free vaccines for senior citizens.
“Eight out of 12 of us in the group managed to secure slots,” he said.
Prior to this, Lim said he had gone to private clinics but none of them had the vaccine stock.
“This is my first time getting the influenza vaccine,” he added.
For 64-year-old Cheang Kok Heng, who has hypertension, getting the vaccine was a priority once he learned about the programme.
“After securing my slot, I encouraged others to do the same. Unfortunately, the slots were already fully booked,” said Cheang, who is also part of the travel group.
Low Boon Hin, 65, and his wife Chong Sew Thye, 64, also managed to get vaccinated in time for their nine-day trip to Yunnan, China, next month.
They had gone to five private clinics previously but to no avail, Low said.
“As soon as the bookings were opened (on MySejahtera), we secured our appointments.
“With this added immunity, we hope to protect not just ourselves but also those around us,” said Low.
A check at the clinic found that the vaccination drive, which began yesterday, was running smoothly, with eligible senior citizens arriving promptly for their appointments – which could only be made through the MySejahtera app.
The nationwide influenza immunisation programme is available at government health clinics for senior citizens aged 60 and above with at least one comorbidity.
Each of the 24 clinics in Penang has been allocated a limited number of doses.
A source revealed that the Jalan Angsana clinic offers 15 doses daily, while the Air Itam clinic provides 20 per day.
Due to the high demand, Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi urged those who missed the opportunity to be patient and book their slots later.
“Penang has received 4,000 doses of the vaccine under the first phase of the programme.
“Some clinics have been fully booked until the end of March,” he said.
Gooi also noted a decline in influenza cases based on recent reports.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report for the Western Pacific region, the influenza sample positivity rate was 26.19% in the first week of this year. By the fourth week, it had dropped to 21.97%, showing a 4% decrease,” he said.
Malaysia, he added, has not reported a surge in influenza cases or any cases of avian influenza.
“The rate of influenza-like illness consultations and hospital admissions for severe acute respiratory infections has also declined,” he told reporters at the health clinic on Jalan Macalister.
In Melaka, Bernama quoted a statement from the Melaka Health Department which explained that the vaccines are given to individuals with at least one chronic disease such as diabetes, hypertension, heart, obesity, high cholesterol and kidney or lung ailments.
“This is an initiative of the Health Ministry to protect the high-risk group from serious complications such as pneumonia, sepsis and organ failure due to influenza infections.
“The administration of influenza vaccines has been proven safe and effective in preventing infections and serious complications, as well as reducing hospitalisation and mortality rates among the elderly,” said the statement.
It said appointment slots are given based on the availability of vaccines at all health clinics in the state.
“In addition to taking the vaccines, the public – especially senior citizens – are also advised to adopt preventive measures to reduce the risk of influenza infection.
“These (measures) include frequent washing of hands, practising proper etiquette when coughing and sneezing, wearing a mask if symptomatic as well as seeking immediate treatment if experiencing influenza symptoms such as prolonged fever, cough and cold,” it added.
