KUALA LUMPUR: More data is needed before Malaysia can decide whether to use the Covid-19 vaccines discovered by China and Russia.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said information on the third clinical phase involved trials on humans that would determine the vaccines' efficacy and side effects.
"We have so many questions and there was no latest information on it so far. We were aware of these two countries that recently patented the vaccines.
"Before we buy or get involved with the vaccines, we must first see the data for their effectiveness and side effects. We are waiting for the latest information and once we get them, we will get our experts to study their efficacy.
"We will definitely invest or use them if the data supports this," he said in the daily Covid-19 media briefing.
On a separate matter, Dr Noor Hisham said his recent statement on the rapid spread of the D614G mutation was based on laboratory tests and on-site findings.
"We have a fairly short contact with the virus and learn new things about it daily. What is proven now is the lab test showed that high infection rate correlates with the virus mutation.
"We also looked at patient-under-investigation (PUI) Sivagangga Cluster and saw how it spread in Kedah so rapidly, with many people were infected in a short period of time. We have so many questions, without answers. So we look at lab results and (what's happening) on the ground.
"What is more important is that we comply to the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and ensure the people exercise the new norm to break the chain of infections."
Dr Noor Hisham recently revealed the D614G mutation of the coronavirus in Sivagangga patient-under-investigation (PUI) and Ulu Tiram clusters that was 10 times more infectious and that vaccines currently in development may not be effective against it.
Citing Sivagangga Cluster, he said quick intervention was mobilised to break the chain of infections, with 6,034 people screened so far and 45 of them turned out positive.
"Those who tested negative were quarantined at the hospital," he said.
The mutation increased the number of "spikes" on the profile of coronavirus, giving its distinctive shape and allowing the virus to bind to and infect cells.
He said lab tests were also being conducted on samples from Sala and Tawar Clusters to find out whether they involved coronavirus mutation.
Steps were also taken to contain the spread, including closing down a school in Kulim after three students and one teacher were tested positive for Covid-19.
Dr Noor Hisham also thanked Malaysians for working together in the fight against Covid-19, reminding all to remain vigilant and stay safe by complying to all the SOPs.