Organised by Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy and REFSA

DATE: 23 FEBRUARY 2021, TUESDAY 

TIME: 8:30pm – 9:30pm

SUMMARY

Despite surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health indicating that at least 2/3 of respondents are willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, there is a significant proportion that remain hesitant or even opposed towards the existing vaccines. This may even include healthcare professionals, members of parliament and learned members of society.

The reasons for this are varied including concerns of safety and compromised integrity due to insufficient testing and evidence, misinformation spread deliberately or through ignorance, and the anti-vaccine movement taking advantage of the overall anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these are unfounded and not based on evidence or fact.

This forum is intended to provide a platform for discussion and an opportunity for queries to be raised and address by those concerned.

KEY MESSAGES

• The COVID-19 vaccines, once they have been approved by NPRA, are considered safe and of quality to be used by Malaysians
• It is important to understand how and where people are positioned in the vaccination schedule, to get registered and vaccinated when the time comes
• Asking questions to address concerns and doubt regarding the vaccines is encouraged, but spreading misinformation and deliberately misleading others are problematic

SPEAKERS

• Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin, Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist, KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital
• Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Head of The Lung Centre, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
• Dr. Kelvin Yii, Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Technology

Moderator: Azrul Mohd Khalib, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy

Opening Remarks: Tan E Hun, Executive Director, REFSA