KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital marked a milestone on August 24, 2024, with the introduction of QDENGA®, Malaysia’s first dengue vaccine, at its Dengue Prevention Awareness Campaign. The event, which was open to the public, drew a large crowd interested in learning about the new vaccine and dengue prevention strategies.
Speaking at the event, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Chairperson of the Social & Economic Research Initiative (SERI), highlighted the ongoing difficulties Malaysia faces in combating dengue fever. She pointed out that despite rigorous mosquito control efforts and active community involvement, the nation still contends with high dengue rates, which she referred to as a longstanding challenge that calls for continuous and innovative methods.
Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin, consultant paediatrician at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital, also provided crucial insights into the importance of integrating the QDENGA® vaccine into the broader strategy for combating dengue.
“Dengue imposes an economic burden in Malaysia,” Dr. Musa remarked, pointing to the substantial costs tied to both the illness and its prevention.
The annual cost of dengue illness reached RM196 million in 2019, while dengue prevention and control efforts in 2018 amounted to RM260 million. The combined financial burden of dengue in Malaysia totals RM456 million per year.
“Vector control has achieved only limited success in reducing dengue transmission. A dengue vaccine should be considered as part of an integrated approach to dengue prevention and control,” he added.
He also emphasised that many dengue-related deaths are preventable, underscoring the critical importance of vaccination in reducing the disease’s mortality rate. He further noted that individuals who contract dengue a second time face a significantly heightened risk of severe and potentially fatal complications.
In an interview with Wargabiz, Dr. Nur Abdul Karim, Medical Director of KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital, encouraged the community to take proactive steps in safeguarding themselves and their families from dengue. She emphasised the importance of the dengue vaccine, describing it as a safe and effective measure that has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of contracting this serious disease.
The dengue vaccine is available at RM220 per dose, with the full course of two doses offered at a special rate of RM400, making it an affordable and essential tool in the fight against dengue.
To protect yourself and your loved ones from dengue, you can book an appointment by calling 03-7718 1000 ext 1073 (Wellness Centre) or by sending a WhatsApp message to +014-8768 661.
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