IPOH: The Health Ministry is conducting clinical tests on the first dengue vaccine in the world, which will in the market in the middle of next year.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said a comprehensive study would be carried out as there were questions pertaining to the vaccine in the long term.
“Before we decide on any long term plan for the usage of the vaccine, we are conducting a study on the original study to obtain sufficient data to support our use of the vaccine,” he said.
He was speaking after the fourth Malaysian Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKMM) Convocation at the Sultan Azlan Shah Allied Health Science College here yesterday.
A total of 4,697 graduates from 33 ILKMM received diplomas, advanced diplomas and certificates.
Dr Subramaniam said the ministry was collating data on the vaccine before making a decision on whether it could be used in the country or otherwise.
He said currently many dengue cases reported involved those aged 25 and above.
On the dengue cases reported to date, he said they had dropped to 2,300 cases a week, as compared to 3,000 a week in August and September.
“The campaign to combat dengue which I had launched, appears to have achieved the target.
“I hope the number will fall to 1,500 cases,” he said. — Bernama