PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry is considering a proposal to allow free influenza (flu) shots for those aged 65 and above following the country's growing ageing population.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the proposal would be brought up during the ministry's internal meeting as the nation was expected to reach 5.2 million (14.3 per cent) ageing population by 2030.
"The number is expected to increase to 9.6 million (23.6 per cent) of the total population by 2050.
"This demographic has serious implications and was also discussed extensively at the recent Health Policy Summit.
"This is why we need to transition from sick care to healthcare instead," he said during the launch of the 'Preventing the Flu at 65 and Beyond' campaign, here, today.
According to him, the nation's ageing population currently stands at 3.5 million (seven per cent) of the total population.
Dr Noor Azmi also noted that the ministry would enhance its focus on the ageing nation agenda in the Health White Paper.
"We are heading towards an ageing population in eight years, (hence) it is important that we create more geriatric specialists and special facilities for the elderly.
"They (elderly) are also likely to experience severe flu symptoms, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and complications like pneumonia, inflammation of the heart and brain which can result in multi-organ failure and death.
"The flu can also trigger a heart attack and stroke just three days after infection.
"Hence, we will work to get it more focus in the paper," he said.
He added that symptoms could also worsen the condition of those with comorbidities and lead to life-threatening emergencies.
"This is why our healthcare system is in need of a paradigm shift and it is definitely time for us to invest efforts into improving preventive and promotive, primary healthcare measures," he added.