KUALA LUMPUR: As anti-vaxxers continue to dig in their heels despite the growing restrictions levelled against them, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin dished them a dose of reality.
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He pointed out that real world data from the ministry’s studies suggests that vaccination reduced transmission risks by 86 to 90 per cent.
“But the most potent argument against anti-vax people is: if you don’t get vaccinated, the chances of you being hospitalised is higher.”
“When that happens, @KKMPutrajaya frontliners have to look after you & healthcare capacity is strained. You don’t live in a bubble,” he tweeted in one of his strongest rebukes against the community so far.
Recently, the Public Service Department said vaccinations would be made compulsory for all its employees as a move to boost public confidence and ensure government services can be delivered smoothly.
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Nearly 98 per cent of civil servants were already vaccinated, while 16,902 or 1.6 per cent have yet to register under the country’s inoculation programme, the department said.
Malaysia has around 1.6 million public servants.
Unvaccinated employees have been given until Nov 1 to complete their inoculations, while those who are unable to be vaccinated must submit health information verified by a government medical officer.
Those who fail to get vaccinated in time will face disciplinary action, the department said.
Meanwhile, Khairy had also said that those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons, including allergies can apply for their special digital certificates to exempt them from the restrictions against the unvaccinated.-NST