KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not rush into using a Covid-19 vaccine when it is eventually found but will take a wait and see approach, said Deputy Health Minister II Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He said this included Russia’s “Sputnik V”, which is the world’s first registered Covid-19 vaccine.
“We will wait and monitor the developments of this vaccine.
“There is no published scientific proof to show that it can be used (against Covid-19).
“The Health Ministry has conducted tests with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and we are working to find a vaccine.
“We are also working with other countries on this,” Aaron said in response to a supplementary question by Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai).
Fahmi had asked when the country would be ready to carry out vaccine trial tests and when the people will be able to obtain it.
On the issue of crowding, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim (BN-Baling) called on the Health Ministry to set stricter Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
He said he had observed a large crowd at the Parliament building yesterday.
“Parliament was crowded with government officers and politicians. We do not want to blame them for coming (here) but I feel the SOPs and the protocols at the entrance to the Dewan Rakyat are still not stringent,“ he said.
Abdul Azeez said he was worried about his constituency after being informed by his health officer that there are 10 more Covid-19 positive cases there.
He said this number had yet to be officially reported by the ministry.
“To prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the police should mount more roadblocks in Baling due to its proximity to the Thai border and rat trails being closed and monitored,“ he added.
