jan/Feb, 2020 | The Health
Issue: Pneumococcal Vaccine
09
Pneumococcal
vaccines
on its way
Government allocated RM60 million
for the vaccination programme
A
S been made official during
the 2020 Budget last year, the
government will introduce
pneumococcal vaccinations
for children starting from
June this year, said Deputy
Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.
However, Dr Lee said that only those
born in 2020 onwards are entitled to the free
vaccinations.
“The government has allocated RM60
million for the vaccination programme and
we are still in the midst of acquiring the
vaccination. We will distribute the vaccina-
tion to all government clinics once we have
acquired the vaccination and the vaccination
programme is expected to start in June,” he
expanded.
Last October, Finance Minister Lim
Guan Eng, when tabling the Supply Bill
(Budget) 2020 in Parliament announced
the initial allocation of RM60 million to
provide pneumococcal vaccination for all
children.
What is pneumoccocal disease?
Pneumococcal diseases are infections caused
by a bacterium called Streptococcus pneu-
moniae that affects adults and children alike
but are more common in younger children
and the elderly.
Examples of pneumococcal diseases
Dr Lee Boon Chye,
Deputy Minister
of Health says the
pneumococcal
vaccine will be made
available for babies
born in 2020, and the
programme will start
in June.
include pneumonia, meningitis, febrile bacte-
raemia, otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis.
According to the Ministry of Health,
pneumococcal diseases are one of the most
widespread vaccine-preventable diseases in
Malaysia.
Into the National
Immunisation Programme
For parents wanting to get their hands on the
vaccines for the children come June, worry
not — as the vaccination will be included in
the already expansive National Immunisation
Programme.
Just make sure to vaccinate your children
at any of the government hospitals or clinics
near you. — The Health