DIRECTOR-GENERAL of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s recent statement on the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines can backfire and cause a dent in the government’s efforts to immunise the community, said Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming.

He said Noor Hisham must be clearer about what happened to front-liners, who were infected with Covid-19 after getting their first and second dose of the vaccine.

“While I believe that the D-G is well meaning in wanting to remind all of us that we should continue to observe the SOP even after taking our vaccine shots, I believe that his statement could have been better explained.

“For example, he could have said that only 142 healthcare workers were infected out of approximately 500,000 who had received their first dose, or a mere 0.03%.

“He could have added that only 40 healthcare workers out of 300,000 were infected after receiving their second dose (or just 0.01%),” the DAP lawmaker said in a Facebook posting today.

On Saturday, Noor Hisham urged the public to follow strict SOP even after vaccination.

He added that people can still be infected after completion of vaccination but with less severity.

He also said that 40 vaccinated healthcare workers have contracted Covid-19, adding that a further 142 healthcare workers were infected after receiving the first dose but they experienced “less severe” symptoms.

Meanwhile, Ong said Noor Hisham’s remarks may discourage people from registering for the national vaccination programme.

He said Noor Hisham’s statement would make some people blame the healthcare workers for not following the SOP.

“Noor Hisham should explain his statement clearly, so that we can restore confidence in the vaccine registration and vaccination process.

“We need the national vaccination programme to be successfully rolled out for the health and economic well-being of the country,” said Ong, commenting on a Facebook post by Noor Hisham that was met by a backlash by some social media users.

Ong said Noor Hisham’s post made it seem as if the vaccine was not very effective in preventing someone from contracting the Covid-19 virus.

Yesterday, co-ordinating minister for the national Covid-19 immunisation programme Khairy Jamaluddin said 31 out of the 40 front-liners who contracted the virus had not completed two doses.

He added that the immune system will only be prepared to fight the virus two weeks after the second dose. It is only then the person can be considered fully vaccinated, he said. – April 19, 2021.