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PETALING JAYA: A new vaccination schedule for children will be introduced in all health clinics run by the government under the National Immunization Program, says the Ministry of Health.
In a statement yesterday, Health Director General Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said the change was the result of the ministry’s switch to a six-in-one combination vaccine from the current five-in-one vaccine.
Combination vaccines combine two or more vaccines so that the child receives a minimal number of shots.
The existing five-in-one vaccine is known generically as pentavalent DTaP-IPV-Hib, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Hib is a bacterium that can cause severe pneumonia, meningitis, and other illnesses almost exclusively in children under the age of five.
Hib is transmitted through the respiratory tract from infected to susceptible individuals.
The six-in-one combination vaccine will protect children against all five diseases and also against hepatitis B (HepB).
Dr. Noor Hisham said that the switch to the DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib vaccine would be carried out in stages, starting this month, depending on availability.
The previous five-in-one combination has been used since 2008 in eight states before it was expanded to the entire country in 2010.
It was given in three doses, at two months, three months, and five months, as well as a booster shot at 18 months.
On the other hand, the HepB vaccine has been used since 1989, where it is administered to a child at birth, one month later and at six months.
Dr Noor Hisham said that with the new vaccination schedule, a child only needs to undergo five sessions, compared to seven.
“With this reduction, it is easier for parents to ensure that their children receive vaccination shots according to the vaccination schedule,” he added.
“Up to four doses will be given to each child, at the age of two months, three months, five months and 18 months, while the hepatitis B vaccine given after birth will continue.
“The previous vaccine (dose) against hepatitis B administered in the first and sixth months is no longer necessary because it is already within the six-in-one vaccine,” he said.
Dr. Noor Hisham also assured that the six-in-one vaccine history was good based on experience elsewhere, as well as those used in the private healthcare setting here.
“Observations made by the WHO (World Health Organization) showed that as of October 20, 49 countries have switched to the DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib hexavalent vaccine in their respective national immunization programs.
“While it has been used in private medical facilities here since 2013 and has been shown to be safe, its use under the National Immunization Program at Ministry of Health facilities is new.
“As such, the ministry will watch to see if there will be any adverse events after vaccination in each child after each dose.
“For this purpose, parents should report any adverse effects experienced by their child to medical officials after each injection by returning the notification form, even if the effect is minor, such as a red spot at the injection site,” he said. .
Dr. Noor Hisham added that parents can also report the matter to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency via npra.gov.my.
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