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KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MINSA) announced changes to the National Child Vaccination Calendar, which will be implemented in stages at the beginning of this month.
Chief Health Officer Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said that the combination of five vaccine series – diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-polio-Haemophilus influenza type b (pentavalent DTaP-IPP // Hib) – would be replaced by a six series vaccination program.
“The new vaccine series covers six diseases, namely diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib hexavalent)
“A total of four doses will be given to children two, three, five and 18 months of age.
“The hepatitis B vaccine given after birth will continue, but the doses given at the month and at six months will no longer be necessary as the hepatitis B vaccine component has been included in the six-month vaccination program. series, “he said today in a statement.
Dr Noor Hisham said the new vaccination schedule would cause children to receive fewer injections, namely five instead of seven previously.
“However, parents still need to bring their children to health care facilities for observation, as stated in the Infant and Child Health Record Book (0-6 years),” he said.
In elaborating, Dr. Noor Hisham said that the six-series vaccination program is effective and safe with its adverse events after immunization (AEFI) and is monitored by the National Division of Pharmaceutical Regulation (NPRA).
He said private health facilities in the country have been using the six-series vaccination program since 2013 and no serious safety concerns have been reported.
“However, it is a new vaccination program under the National Immunization Program in the facilities of the Ministry of Health. As such, the Ministry of Health will carry out the AEFI observation in each child after each dose, ”he added.
Dr. Noor Hisham advised parents to inform healthcare personnel of any adverse effects experienced by their child after each injection by returning the notification form or by submitting the matter directly to NPRA via npra.gov.my.
Those who have questions about the new vaccination schedule can contact the Ministry of Health at 03-8883 4042 / 03-8883 4504 from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. M. At 5 p. M., Or visit the nearest public health clinic for more information. – Called
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