Rightways: GIVE SENIORS FREE ANNUAL FLU SHOTS

Here's How to Plan For Your Seasonal Vaccinations This Fall

PETALING JAYA: Eighteen medical societies and 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have launched a petition urging the government to provide free annual influenza vaccination for senior citizens, especially those in the B40 group.

In a joint statement, the Malaysian Influenza Working Group (MIWG) and the Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine said the move came in light of the recent increase in influenza cases in the country, which according to the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia on July 29, had threatened to overwhelm even private hospitals as there were substantial admissions on account of the flu.

“The recent surge in influenza cases has put tremendous strain on hospital resources, highlighting the pressing need for an urgent long-term solution,” said MIWG, an interest group under the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy.

“We are glad the Health Minister has just announced the Health Ministry is looking into possibly providing influenza vaccination for high-risk groups. It is a timely reminder that we must be constantly vigilant against this real and ever-present threat in Malaysia,” the statement read.

This surge in influenza in Malaysia was also reflected by FluNet (WHO’s global web-based tool for influenza virological surveillance), which reported that, up until the end of July, 20% of the samples tested in Malaysia were positive for influenza, the majority being serotype A.

This is in line with the data of a private hospital in June, where 126 out of 537 (23%) samples were positive for influenza (98% were serotype A), MIWG said, adding that this petition is supported by 18 medical societies and 11 NGOs, which are collectively known as the Malaysian Alliance for the Prevention of Influenza.

The current outbreak in Malaysia is concerning because of the risk of severe disease, complications and even death in high-risk groups, especially older persons with pre-existing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease and chronic lung disease.

“Investing in the influenza vaccine is a smart choice as it not only prevents severe disease but also prevents the financial burden of expensive hospital bills and potential loss of income from missing work.

“More than 95% of our older persons are not vaccinated against influenza,” said MIWG, cautioning that hospitalisation for influenza also presents its risks.

“It is important to highlight that hospitalisation alone is associated with poor outcomes in older persons due to complications such as hospital-acquired pneumonia, delirium, falls, pressure injuries and functional decline.

“These common and distressing complications share risk factors and can co-exist, resulting in longer admissions, possible readmissions and higher mortality.

“The risk of developing other life-threatening complications such as myocarditis, encephalitis, and multi-organ failure is also higher in this high-risk group,” it said.

Whether hospitalisation is readily available or not, influenza increases the risk of heart attack more than 10 times within the first week of infection, and according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 70% of hospitalisations and 90% of deaths occur among older persons.

“To date, 40 countries have implemented free influenza vaccination for older persons,” said MIWG.

On Aug 6, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the ministry would study the need to provide influenza vaccination to the public, with the vaccine currently given free only to the ministry’s front line workers, while others have to obtain it from private clinics or hospitals at prices that range from RM70 and upwards per dose.

“That is why we call upon the public and the government to support this cause so that we can provide our older persons the protection they deserve as this vulnerable segment of the population is at greater risk of developing pneumonia as a complication of influenza, which subsequently leads to prolonged hospitalisation,” said MIWG.

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