It said it has noted developments in the United States, where the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) voted earlier this month to discontinue its universal recommendation for the hepatitis B birth dose.

However, Malaysia’s policy remains unchanged.

The ministry stressed that the birth dose would continue to be provided under the National Immunisation Programme, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.

“The administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose within 24 hours of birth is crucial to prevent transmission of the hepatitis B virus from mother to child.

“Hepatitis B infection acquired early in life carries a high risk of becoming chronic, which could lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in adulthood.”

It also said Malaysia’s birth-dose policy, in place since 1989, has been highly effective in reducing infection rates among children and contributes to long-term population health protection.

It said national immunisation policies are determined based on scientific evidence, local and global epidemiological data and expert opinion.

Any policy changes would only be considered if supported by strong evidence and international consensus, it added.

“The Health Ministry would like to remind parents and caregivers to ensure their infants receive the birth dose according to the prescribed schedule.”

The US decision saw ACIP replace a long-standing universal approach with individualised decision-making for infants born to hepatitis B-negative mothers.

The revised recommendation was adopted by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec 16, with infants who do not receive the birth dose advised to start vaccination at a later stage.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said influenza-related deaths also saw a significant 68% decline from 54 in 2023 to 17 last year.

“Our data showed that the positivity rate for influenza viruses in samples ranged between 5% and 25%, with case spikes typically occurring early in the year before tapering off towards the end,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) on the current status of influenza cases in Malaysia and the measures being taken to address the issue, including vaccination programmes for high-risk groups.

Despite influenza not being a notifiable disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, the ministry said it continuously monitors infection trends through clinical and laboratory sentinel surveillance.

This involves tracking influenza-like illness (ILI) in the community and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) among hospital patients, said Dzulkefly.

To curb the spread of influenza and ease the strain on healthcare facilities, the ministry has strengthened surveillance, raised public awareness, and encouraged preventive measures such as handwashing, proper cough and sneeze etiquette, mask-wearing when symptomatic, and avoiding crowded places when unwell.

He also urged high-risk groups to get vaccinated, stating that from 2025, senior citizens aged 60 and above with at least one comorbidity will be eligible for free influenza vaccinations at selected government health facilities.

The vaccine will also be available at private healthcare facilities on a paid basis, he said.

In February, the ministry said its voluntary influenza vaccination initiative is expected to benefit more than 170,000 high-risk seniors, and builds on an existing programme that has provided influenza vaccines to frontline healthcare workers since 2006.

According to The Star, the minister also said pharmaceutical firms were also adjusting future orders to mitigate.

“There was a high uptake globally. They informed me that they have run out of stock, but it will be restocked in early March,” he was quoted as saying.

“They are, however, planning to switch to trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (TIV) come September this year,”

As the name implies, TIV protect against three influenza strains, typically H1N1 and H3N2 from the influenza A family, and one strain of influenza B. Vaccines now in use locally are quadrivalent, offering protection against four strains.

Increased awareness following the Covid-19 pandemic has led to higher global demand for flu vaccines, which has been compounded by manufacturing delays and global supply chain disruptions as well as outbreaks of bird flu globally.

Dzulkefly explained that Malaysia currently relies on two main flu vaccine brands, Vaxigrip Tetra (Sanofi) and Influvac Tetra (Abbott), both supplied under government contracts.

Of the two, there is a shortage of Vaxigrip Tetra, with Dzulkely saying Sanofi is attempting to source additional stock from Thailand and France.

“Fluarix Tetra (GSK) is no longer marketed, and SKYCellflu (Pharmaniaga Marketing, SK Bioscience Korea) has no stock in the country,” he said.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with the Pharmacy Services Programme and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency working with manufacturers to ensure continued supply.

Source: Malay Mail

According to the Tokyo District Court filing, Haraguchi repeatedly referred to the replicon vaccine as a “bioweapon” on social media and likened Meiji Seika Pharma to Unit 731, a World War II group notorious for human experimentation.

According to an information published in Lancet Japan recently administered the world’s first self-amplifying mRNA vaccine, known as the replicon vaccine, to combat SARS-CoV-2. However, misinformation about the vaccine has spread, including false claims that its components multiply indefinitely in the body or can be transmitted to others. This has led to some businesses, such as beauty salons, gyms, and restaurants, refusing entry to vaccinated individuals, and even medical clinics barring them from access. The Japanese Ministry of Health has refuted these claims, stating the vaccine’s safety. Experts warn that such actions, based on misinformation, are ethically unacceptable and could lead to vaccine hesitancy, undermining public health efforts.

The decision is expected to enhance vaccine availability in regions experiencing surging mpox outbreaks, with 2024 reporting cases in 80 countries, including 19 in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the most affected country, has recorded over 39,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths as of 31 October 2024.

Related: Asia Sees Rising Mpox Cases; Takes Action with Control and Treatment Measures

In a significant move, Japan announced a donation of 3.05 million doses of the LC16m8 vaccine, along with specialized needles, to Congo, marking the largest donation in response to the ongoing crisis.

Developed by KM Biologics in Japan, the LC16m8 vaccine is recommended for use in individuals over one year old in outbreak settings. It is administered as a single dose using a bifurcated needle. The vaccine has proven safe and effective, including for people with controlled HIV, though it is not recommended for pregnant individuals or those who are immunocompromised.

Related: Misconceptions on Mpox that You Should Know (and Public Perception in Malaysia) 

WHO continues to collaborate with global partners to ensure the safe distribution of vaccines and ongoing research into their safety and effectiveness.

Established in 2000, Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) stands as the nation’s pioneering and sole independent, non-profit cancer research organization. Solely reliant on donations and research grants, it diligently pursues cancer research to enhance survival rates, with a particular focus on the Asian populace.

CRMY has initiated its “Support Our Scientist” campaign, offering individuals the chance to contribute to groundbreaking cancer research. This initiative spotlights two vital research units: Digital Health and Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy. Representing the Digital Health department are Dr. Senthilmani Rajendran and Nur Dinie Junaidi, while Chai Phei Gan and Ngoi Soo Mun hail from the Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy department.

As the only Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the country dedicated to researching cancers that commonly affect Malaysians and the region, CRMY relies on donations to sustain its work and research efforts.

“The Support Our Scientist campaign embodies our commitment to advancing cancer research in Malaysia. With every donation, we move closer to developing groundbreaking strategies for early cancer detection and improving patient outcomes,” said Andy Khoo, CEO of CRMY.

The Digital Health Research Unit focuses on developing and testing innovative strategies for early cancer detection, particularly for common cancers in Asian populations. One of their key initiatives is a mobile application, MeMoSA (Mobile Mouth Screening Everywhere), which enables early detection of mouth cancer by connecting communities to dental healthcare professionals.

The unit aims to enhance the App’s reach beyond the three pilot communities of Kampung Peros, Kampung Pasir Hulu, and Kampung Entangor in Sarawak.

The Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy Research Unit focuses on developing immunotherapy treatments to improve patient outcomes. They are currently working on a Malaysian-made vaccine for oral cancer, which is often diagnosed at a late stage, leading to poor survival rates. This vaccine aims to train the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells, offering hope to patients with advanced-stage oral cancer.

The team is working to expand the usage of the oral cancer vaccine to other cancers that are common in our regions to ensure more patients can benefit from this ground-breaking treatment. It is also our continuous effort to identify new vaccine targets for cancers to improve our current vaccine formulation.

The donation can start from as low as RM 1 to RM 1000 (or even more is welcome) a month, or any amount for a one-time contribution if preferred. This flexible approach ensures inclusivity, making it feasible for everyone to participate in the fight against cancer. Every donation is crucial as it’s not just a contribution but a lifeline for those battling cancer.

“Your support enables us to continue our research, develop innovative treatments, and ultimately save lives. Join us in the fight against cancer. Your contribution can make a real difference. Donate today and be a part of the cure, ” CRMY said.

To support “SOS” campaign and contribute to groundbreaking cancer research, visit https://bit.ly/CRMY_SOS
(Press Release)

This is the first alliance of its kind bringing together scientists from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the US.

The alliance, which is anchored by Professor Yuen Kwok Yung, a microbiologist from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Chairperson-designate of the alliance, and Columbia University AIDS pioneer Professor David Ho, aims to leverage the specific expertise of each institution to produce joint output.

The founding members institutions and representatives of PRA also include Doherty Institute – University of Melbourne, Australia, represented by Professor Sharon Lewin; Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore, by Professor Wang Linfa; Guangzhou National Laboratory, PRC, by Professor Zhong Nanshan; and Tsinghua University, PRC, by Professor Zhang Linqi.

Professor Chen Zhiwei from HKU will serve as PRA Secretary-designate.

“The PRA will involve research sharing and collaboration to bring together some of the leading minds internationally in virology and related disciplines to jointly seek solutions to pressing issues before the next pandemic hits,” said Professor Yuen.

The new alliance will focus on assessing the potential for animal viruses to jump to humans using artificially grown organoids, as well as faster tests to detect the first human case infected by a novel virus with pandemic potential, and to design drug treatment and vaccines pre-emptively before such outbreaks.

Members will share information on emerging infectious agents for early outbreak alerts, as well as research materials and reagents to provide a rapid research response.

Aims for the next pandemic include ensuring early alerts, responses and control through rapid molecular testing, minimising mortality with a broad spectrum of antiviral or neutralising antibodies and developing a universal vaccine platform to manufacture a specific vaccine in the shortest possible time frame. Through this research output, the alliance hopes that normal life could be maintained if there is another pandemic, with no city lockdowns or school closures.

“Given the history of pandemics, we expect more emerging infectious disease outbreaks, one of which may cause the next pandemic within another decade or so. By launching this alliance today, we are effectively gearing up to protect lives and avert future disruptions to our way of life,” said Professor Ho.

Having collaborated closely over the years, including when Hong Kong experienced an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, Professor Ho and Professor Yuen spearheaded the idea to forge an alliance whose founding members are based in the Pacific Rim, where many infectious respiratory viruses have originated.

The founding members joined a signing ceremony at HKU, presided over by University President Professor Xiang Zhang, and HKU Dean of Medicine Professor Chak-sing Lau, who expressed their confidence in the alliance’s potential and commended its proactive approach to promoting worldwide readiness for pandemics. The members then chaired the PRA’s inaugural scientific symposium on pandemic virus research, convening experts from across the Pacific Rim and Asia.

The alliance plans to publish joint research and maximise the impact of its findings to help enhance pandemic preparedness around the globe.

One of the first global scientists to discover HIV and to shed light on the dynamics of AIDs in infected individuals, Columbia University Professor Ho founded the AIDS Institute at HKU. During the COVID[1]19 pandemic, HKU and Columbia research groups published eight collaborative articles on SARS-CoV-2 in leading scientific journals. The PRA will build upon this foundation of global collaboration.

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Dengue, often characterized by fever and bone pain in mild cases and severe manifestations involving shock, bleeding, and sometimes fatal outcomes in more serious cases, is a global health concern. The virus comprises four distinct serotypes, all of which can cause illness, with the most severe cases frequently linked to secondary infections.

The vaccine, known as TV005, demonstrated safety and immune responsiveness in a three-year study involving almost 200 volunteers of different age groups. Although the study wasn’t primarily focused on efficacy, no dengue cases were observed among vaccinated individuals, bringing the vaccine closer to broader use.

The groundbreaking research conducted by icddr,b and UVM marks the first study of dengue vaccines in Bangladesh. This collaborative initiative, known as the “Dengue in Dhaka Initiative (DIDI),” was launched in 2015 with the aim of advancing dengue vaccine development in Bangladesh. As part of this effort, clinical trials and laboratory infrastructure were established at icddr,b in 2015, including a preliminary study on dengue prevalence.

Additional studies are underway globally, including those led by the DIDI team, to further evaluate the efficacy, durability, and immune responses of tetravalent dengue vaccines. With the rising dengue threat, the hope is that this vaccine will benefit Bangladesh and South Asia. This achievement adds to the ongoing efforts by various pharmaceutical companies to develop tetravalent dengue vaccines, offering hope in the fight against this mosquito-borne disease.

Source: icddrb

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By Dr. Vaani Valerie A/P Visuvanathan, Dermatologist at Aurelius Hospital Nilai

In 2019, the world underwent a global pandemic, Covid-19 global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Non-pharmaceutical interventions known as lockdowns and quarantines were implemented to reduce the spread of the virus. The most common Covid-19 symptoms include headache, loss of smell and taste, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties. However, not known to many, Covid-19 is also associated with significant complications that affect a majority of organ systems such as the central nervous system, intestinal tract, cardiovascular system and skin. Overall, about 7% of Covid-19 patients are reported to have one or more skin symptoms.

What are the types of skin diseases associated with Covid-19?

The most common skin condition linked to Covid-19 is a morbilliform rash that resembles measles in appearance, consisting of spots that are scattered across the skin. Some may overlap to form bigger patches of discolouration on the skin. Patients have reported that over time it gets itchier. Next, Urticaria or hives that doctors refer to raised, itchy bumps on the skin as welts or wheals. Current evidence suggests that urticaria is associated with milder instances of COVID-19. On average, urticaria lasts less than one week and is reported to be found in 105 out of 895 Covid-19 patients.

Another type of skin manifestation associated with COVID-19 is vesicles which consist of tiny fluid filled bumps like chickenpox. According to a study, vesicles are documented in 18 out of 24 cases.

Additionally, some Covid-19-positive patients develop a condition referred to as “Covid toes”, which are often referred to as painful chilblain-like-lesionss. These lesions typically resolve within two weeks and are non-scarring, often accompanied by itching. COVID toes appear to be more prevalent among younger patients, primarily children.

Is it safe to take the vaccine when you have skin diseases?

To this very day, people still wonder if it’s safe to take the vaccine? Hesitancy to receive the vaccine may arise especially in those with underlying skin disorders. There is research on the possibility of Covid-19 vaccine causing these skin conditions, as mentioned above. associated with the virus. The results from these studies show that there may be occasional side effects, however, it is more apparent among patients who already have eczema prior to taking the vaccine.

There are also cases where patients with eczema experienced flare-ups after receiving the vaccine, but they were easily manageable. It can be found that having eczema does not worsen your COVID-19 symptoms and taking the vaccine will only reduce the chances of you contracting Covid-19.

How to treat skin diseases associated with COVID-19

To treat morbilliform rash, it is recommended to get prescribed steroid creams and tablets called antihistamines to treat the itchiness. Similarly, to treat urticaria, antihistamine is prescribed to patients as both of those diseases are types of rashes. However, if a patient is reported to have vesicles, they are advised to seek medical attention. With Covid toes, painkillers such as paracetamol are said to be helpful in easing the pain.

However, if any signs of redness spread on the skin, medical advice is necessary. Severe acne breakouts call for medical advice as using off-the-shelf products can cause more damage. Seek your nearest dermatologist’s advice when dealing with any skin disease that worsens over time. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It is crucial to diligently maintain its well-being and seek medical attention in the presence of concerning issues.

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“… people now seem fed up with Covid. Honestly, I’m also fed up. We all are,” said the CEO of SII, Adar Poonawalla.

India has administered over two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with Covishield accounting for over 90% of the doses given – more than 70% of the Indian population has taken at least two doses, according to the federal health ministry.

In January 2022, India began giving boosters to healthcare and frontline workers, and those above 60 years with comorbidities; it was later expanded to all adults. In July, free booster doses were provided to all adults for 75 days to mark 75 years of India’s independence.

But so far, India has administered just 298 million booster doses or precaution doses, revealed the health ministry.

In the meantime, the SII had completed trials for the Covid vaccine Covovax as a booster dose. The company expects the vaccine to get approval within the next two weeks. It has also partnered with the US biotech company Novavax for an Omicron-specific booster.

Speaking on the sidelines during the annual general meeting of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) in the western Indian city of Pune, Poonawalla suggested the Covid vaccine be administered with a routine influenza (flu) shot.

“Going forward, when people take a flu shot every year, they may take a Covid vaccine along with it. But in India, there is no culture of taking a flu shot every year, like in the West.”

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