Selangor: The Selangor government is taking a cautious approach on the dengue vaccine, choosing to monitor its use and impact before launching any related initiatives. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin stated that although the Selangor Health Department (JKNS) has acknowledged the vaccine’s potential, the federal government has yet to encourage its widespread use as it remains newly introduced in Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jamaliah emphasized that the dengue vaccine is still relatively new and has not been in use for five years. She noted that while JKNS observes promise in the vaccine, its long-term effects are still unclear. “For now, JKNS advises us to continue monitoring and assessing before implementing any dengue vaccination programmes,” she mentioned during the Selangor state assembly sitting.

The statement was a response to a supplementary question from Dr. Quah Perng Fei (PH-Bandar Baru Klang) concerning Selangor’s plans for a dengue vaccination programme. Jamaliah also reported that Selangor recorded 13,685 dengue cases between the first and 27th epidemiological week of this year, marking a significant drop of 66.1 percent compared to 40,313 cases during the same period in the previous year.

Additionally, Jamaliah disclosed that there have been five dengue-related deaths reported so far, in contrast to 12 during the corresponding period last year.