445) CONSUMER GROUPS URGE THE HEALTH MINISTER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VACCINE ISSUE - PRESS STATEMENT - 16/05/2024

The Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association (PPIM) urged the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr.  Dzulkefly Ahmad to explain the follow-up action of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) after Pharmaceutical Firm AstraZeneca (AZ) admitted in court documents that their COVID-19 vaccine could cause rare side effects.

PPIM's Chief Activist, Nadzim Johan@Toqqi said the admission by AZ could directly pave the way for legal battle demanding compensation worth millions of pounds, with 51 cases presented in the High Court so far, claiming damages estimated to be worth up to £100 million (RM512 million).

"Before he (Dr Dzulkefly) labels those who do not agree with KKM as anti-vaccine and uneducated and so on, first answer what action will be taken against AZ? Is he prepared to face legal action to protect the company?" Nadzim said.

Nadzim said this in response to Dzulkefly's speech at the National Immunization Day Celebration Ceremony and the National Immunization Summit 2024 in Putrajaya yesterday.

Dzulkefly called on Malaysians not to escape the global phenomenon of spreading "misinformation" about vaccines.

In his speech, Dzulkefly raised the issue of the rise of parents who refuse vaccination for their children and poses an overall threat to public health through the re-emergence of diseases such as polio and diphtheria.

Nadzim disputed Dzulkefly's statement and asked him to be responsible for all Malaysians who suffered side effects from the AZ vaccine forced on them by the Ministry of Health.

"From whom is the wrong information he is talking about? Dzulkefly himself still does not dare to speak about the COVID-19 vaccine issue by AstraZeneca, he is not qualified to be the Minister of Health, Dzulkefly should resign!" insisted Nadzim again.

Nadzim said Dzulkefly did not carry out his duties as a Health Minister because he failed to protect Malaysians from health threats including vaccine side effects.

The consumer activist said PPIM received many complaints from the public who were angry and wanted Dzulkefly to resign for doing a ridiculous job.

"It's enough Dzulkefly, repent," he said.