THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has advised parents to consult a paediatrician or their family doctor if they have any doubts about vaccinations for their children.

Its president Dr Koh Kar Chai said he knows of parents who are worried about adverse reactions from the Covid-19 vaccine and are hesitant to subject their children to the vaccine.

“To these parents, MMA advises them to speak to either their paediatricians or family doctors for verified information before coming to a decision on the need to vaccinate their children,” he said in a statement today.

Dr Koh said many parents are worried about clusters being reported from educational institutions, and rightly, so as there are reports of severe Covid-19 infection among children, albeit in small numbers.

He noted that Putrajaya has never forced the Covid-19 vaccination on children aged five to 11.

“It is a laudable decision that has been taken by the government when it comes to the PICKids (National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children).

“Children five 5 to 11 years are the last cohort (discounting those under five) that has yet to be vaccinated,” he said in the statement.

As of yesterday, a total 454,194 children, or 12.8% of the child population aged five to 11 in Malaysia, received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine under PICKids.

Based on data from CovidNow, a total 13,924,411 or 59.2% of the adult population in the country have received the Covid-19 booster dose, 22,943,785 or 97.5% have gotten two doses, and 23,220,757 or 98.7% have received at least one dose.

For those aged 12 to 17, a total of 2,798,646 individuals or 89.9% from the group have completed their vaccination while 2,883,444 or 92.6% have received at least one dose.

A total 151,156 doses of vaccine injections were administered yesterday, involving 72,991 first dose injections, 648 full dosage injections and 77,517 booster shots, bringing cumulative vaccine doses given out under the PICK to date to 66,018,432. – February 20, 2022.