Latest news with #NationalImmunisationProgramme
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Health revolution: First Ayushman Arogya Mandir opens today
New Delhi: Delhi's first Ayushman Arogya Mandir is now ready to begin operations from the Tis Hazari Court complex. Previously functioning as a Mohalla Clinic, the facility has now been upgraded and redesigned to offer improved healthcare services under a new format. The official inauguration will take place on May 31, led by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The launch is part of a special event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marking the completion of 100 days of the current Delhi government. As part of the occasion, 33 new healthcare facilities will also be introduced. The newly developed Ayushman Arogya Mandir is equipped with several features that set it apart. It offers in-house diagnostic capabilities with 14 types of medical tests now available directly at the clinic. In addition to this, outsourced testing options will enable 79 more diagnostic tests to be accessed through the centre. The facility is also integrated with the National Immunisation Programme, making routine vaccinations available on-site. In addition to this, yoga sessions will be held every Monday and Friday, and comprehensive family planning services will be offered, including pre- and post-pregnancy care. The centre will operate daily from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., and will be staffed by a medical officer, a nurse, a multipurpose health worker, and a sanitation worker. Previously, the Mohalla Clinic at the site offered only basic doctor consultations, and most tests had to be done externally. Key services like vaccination were also unavailable. Now, under the new Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir model, all essential health services are being brought under one roof. Local people are quite enthusiastic about the upcoming Arogya Mandir. The BJP government in Delhi has an ambitious plan to expand health services through these centres. This initiative by the Delhi government aims not only to enhance the quality of healthcare but also to make health services more accessible to the general public.
![[UPDATED] Health Ministry rolls out free whooping cough jabs for expectant mothers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F15bh5r1_1748237065.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Health Ministry rolls out free whooping cough jabs for expectant mothers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Health Ministry rolls out free whooping cough jabs for expectant mothers
PUTRAJAYA – The Health Ministry is now offering free tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines – commonly known as Tdap – to pregnant Malaysian women. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the rollout would begin today. "There have been no cases this year. However, last year, we recorded two cases of pertussis – one child survived, the other did not. Just imagine losing a child at such a tender age – and they had not been immunised," he said at a press conference. The Tdap vaccine, which provides protection for both mother and baby, is now available at all Health Ministry facilities offering maternal and child health services. This marks an upgrade from the ministry's previous vaccination programme for expectant mothers, which only covered tetanus. The Tdap vaccine is strongly recommended for pregnant women between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy. Dzulkefly also warned that vaccine refusal could result in the resurgence of diseases that are now rarely seen. "The ministry has received reports of diphtheria, polio, and measles. If we can secure the support and cooperation of parents, we can sustain herd immunity," he said. Despite rising misinformation and disinformation online regarding vaccines, 95 per cent of children in Malaysia have received full immunisation in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme guidelines issued by the ministry. "It's not just about preventing disease – it's about preventing death," he added. As of yesterday, 97,355 senior citizens with chronic conditions have benefited from the ministry's free influenza vaccination programme, which began on 18 February this year. On a separate matter, Dzulkefly said the ministry's preparedness to respond to a recent rise in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) and Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, in light of similar surges in neighbouring countries.
BusinessToday
26-04-2025
- Health
- BusinessToday
Beyond Childhood: The Case For Lifelong Vaccination In Malaysia
By Dr Wong Chuan Loo When most people think of vaccines, childhood immunisations — against measles, mumps or polio —often come to mind. However, in a rapidly aging Malaysia, where seniors are projected to outnumber children by 2050, immunisation must evolve into a lifelong public health strategy. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024, Malaysia is undergoing a significant demographic shift with profound implications for its healthcare system. This transition underscores the urgent need to strengthen preventative care measures, particularly through adult immunisation. Malaysia's National Immunisation Programme (NIP), introduced in the 1950s as part of a maternal and child health initiative, currently offers free vaccines against 13 childhood diseases – more than double the original six recommended by the World Health Organization Expanded Programme on Immunisation. However, an additional seven recommended vaccines – covering illnesses such as chickenpox, dengue, COVID-19, hepatitis A, meningococcal disease, influenza and rotavirus – are only available at private healthcare facilities for a fee. This two-tiered system limits access for many adults, particularly the elderly. Are Older Malaysians Being Left Behind? While over 90% of Malaysian children are vaccinated against 13 diseases, adults and seniors remain vulnerable to various vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as influenza, pneumonia, and shingles. Influenza alone costs Malaysia RM3.3 billion annually in healthcare expenditures, primarily due to hospitalisations involving unvaccinated seniors. Meanwhile, cervical cancer remains the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Malaysian women, despite the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine being free for teenage girls since 2010. Demographic shifts pose additional challenges such as a shrinking workforce will struggle to support a growing elderly population, and a smaller tax base risks underfunding healthcare even as demand surges. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated immunisation gaps. A joint report by GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and IQVIA found that over 100 million adult vaccine doses were missed in 2021 and 2022 alone. Malaysia must urgently embrace a lifelong vaccination approach to bridge this gap and reduce future public health and economic burdens. Why Lifelong Vaccination Matters Vaccines are not only about preventing illness, but they also enable a better quality of life. In Malaysia, a modeling study found that implementing a national influenza immunisation programme for seniors could prevent over 66,000 influenza cases and more than 3,000 hospitalisations annually. Among diabetics, flu shots reduce hospitalisation risk by 54%. Pneumococcal vaccines lower the risk of pneumonia by 41% in lung disease patients, and reduce mortality by 22% in adults with cardiovascular disease. Expanding HPV vaccination to include boys and men could accelerate progress toward eliminating cervical cancer altogether. Despite the data, adult vaccination uptake remains low. A 2023 study found that while 47% of healthcare employees attributed sick leave to the flu, only 5% of seniors reported receiving the flu vaccine. The reasons are varied: Policy Gaps: Adult vaccines are not included under the NIP. HPV coverage for girls stands at 52%, compared to 96% in Indonesia. Access Barriers: Rural clinics face stockouts, while urban adults may delay vaccines due to mobility or time constraints. Vaccine Hesitancy: Myths surrounding vaccine safety, adverse effects, and halal compliance persist. Misinformation and Pseudoscience Belief: Social media amplifies harmful myths, including belief in 'homeopathic vaccines'. Healthcare Provider Gaps: Some healthcare practitioners lack training or willingness to advocate for adult vaccination, and may even perpetuate misinformation. If unaddressed, these challenges could drive elderly healthcare costs in Malaysia to hit RM21 billion by 2040, with hospital admissions nearly double those of younger age groups. Vaccines as a Lifelong Shield To protect its aging population, Malaysia need a robust, cost-effective, and multi-pronged National Lifelong Vaccination Strategy that combines fiscal pragmatism with public trust. Key recommendations include: Universal Access: Expand the NIP to cover essential adult vaccines (influenza, pneumococcal, and HPV for all genders), leveraging 'sin taxes' on tobacco and sugary drinks or through public-private partnerships to subsidise vaccine dose costs. Transparency on Adverse Events: Launch a public-facing Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) dashboard to clarify facts and dispel myths. Electronic Immunisation Registry: Establish a centralised e-registry to track vaccination status and automate reminders for supplementary boosters. Public Awareness Campaigns: Train healthcare professionals to serve as vaccine advocates and collaborate with religious and community leaders to address halal concerns and misinformation. Corporate Accountability: Offer tax incentives for companies providing employee flu jabs as such programmes can save up to RM90.30 per worker annually in productivity gains. As Malaysia approaches an aged population, vaccines must evolve from a childhood rite to a lifelong shield—an essential investment in national health, productivity, and resilience for every stage of life. The author is a Lecturer at the School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University. Related
The Star
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Case for lifelong immunisation
ACCORDING to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024, Malaysia is undergoing a significant demographic shift with profound implications for its healthcare system. This transition underscores the urgent need to strengthen preventative care measures, particularly through adult immunisation. The National Immunisation Programme (NIP), introduced in the 1950s as part of a maternal and child health initiative, currently offers free vaccines against 13 childhood diseases. This is more than double the original six recommended by the World Health Organisation Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
