LAWMAKERS called on the Health Ministry to be more transparent with data on serious cases of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) among those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

This came after deputy Health Minister II Aaron Ago Dagang told the Dewan Rakyat today that there were 1,483 post-vaccination self-evaluation reports in the serious category.

“Of the serious cases, there were 519 deaths among those who have been vaccinated. However, upon further investigation, it was found that none of the cases could be linked directly to Covid-19 vaccination,” the Kanowit MP said.

He added that the government has received 74 applications for financial aid from the AEFI compensation fund as at October 29, of which seven have been rejected while others are under consideration.

“As at October 29, there are no applications that have been approved,” he said.

He was responding to Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof’s (Alor Gajah-PN) question on the safety measures taken by the government to ensure that the vaccine was suitable for recipients and that compensation was given to those who experienced post-vaccination side effects.

In his supplementary question, Redzuan asked for a report to be tabled on the number of recipients of the compensation. 

“Secondly, it was said that there were no deaths recorded due to vaccination. Yesterday, there were 36 deaths and none of it were linked to vaccination,” he said.

“For example, we know that the deputy Sarawak chief minister (James Masing) died after completing two doses of vaccination.

“We have to assure the people that the vaccine is safe,” Redzuan asked.

He further added that there was one person who requested for a walking stick at his constituency after suffering from post-vaccination joint pain.

“The report was not entertained by the district health office when a report was made,” Redzuan said. while asking what measures were being taken by the government to assure people on the safety of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng-PH) also agreed with Redzuan’s question, citing there was a student who recently died after receiving the vaccine.

“The preliminary post-mortem said this was a case of Spontaneous Bronchospasm. The diagnosis does not make sense,” the former deputy health minister said

It was reported that a 15-year-old boy died on October 23, a day after receiving the second dose at the Gunung Rapat National Secondary School vaccination centre in Perak.

Perak state health director Dr Ding Lay Ming said the post-mortem report is incomplete as there are test results that have yet to be received.

However, the post-mortem examination carried out on the boy’s remains on October 24 revealed a narrowing of the lungs or Spontaneous Bronchospasm. – November 1, 2021.