KUALA LUMPUR: The government will ensure that not a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is wasted once the national immunisation programme kicked off at the end of the month.
Science, Technology, Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said protocol action will be taken at the vaccination centres which would ensure volunteers utilise properly every dose released from storage.
"(On) the issue of wastage, I have discussed with Dr Jemilah (Special Adviser on Public Health to the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood). If there are 10 appointments but only nine or eight show-up, we cannot store it again (the vaccine) in a bottle... it should be used.
"We have seen the wastage happening in other countries and we have completed the protocol to be implemented. The dose for those that do not show up for the inoculation), we will give to volunteers, police, or RELA members.
"If no (volunteers) are available, then we will post on social media for members of the public to walk in (for the inoculation). This is the approach some nations are undertaking (to avoid wastage)," he said in a Clubhouse discussion Friday night.
Also present in the discussion panel was Dr Jemilah; Director of Clinical Research, National Institute of Health, Health Ministry (MoH), Dr Kalaiarasu M Peariasamy; Physician, Dr Giri Rajahram and Chief Executive Officer of Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM), Dr Akhmal Yusof. The moderator of the program was the Head of the Lung Centre, Pantai Hospital, Dr Helmy Haja Mydin.
Earlier, Khairy said they will work towards ensuring the Covid-19 vaccine is utilised on time.
"We do not want it to be stored for a period longer than necessary from the storage facility to the vaccination centre. We want to create a logistic system that is on time to the demand and supply," he said.
On people being allowed to pick the vaccine brand they want to be inoculated with, Khairy said such a matter would not arise as it would lead to logistical problems.
"People would not be given the option to choose what vaccine they want. It would only create confusion, bias and discrimination against the (particular) vaccine itself.
"Even in practical terms, it can give rise to 'nightmare' in terms of logistics. What will happen if many of the vaccines of choice are selected, it will run out quickly," he said, adding that every vaccine approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Division (NPRA) is safe.