KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 – Malaysia will provide free influenza vaccines to senior citizens aged 60 and above with at least one chronic illness starting February 18, 2025, as part of an expanded immunisation programme, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced today.
The voluntary vaccination initiative, expected to benefit over 170,000 high-risk seniors, builds on an existing programme that has provided influenza vaccines to frontline health care workers since 2006. It aligns with the Elderly Healthcare Services Action Plan 2023-2030, launched by Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad in October last year.
“This expansion seeks to protect more high-risk individuals from severe influenza complications such as pneumonia, heart inflammation, and sepsis, which could lead to hospitalisation or death,” MOH said in a statement.
Appointments can be booked via the MySejahtera app starting February 14, but vaccine distribution will be carried out in phases nationwide.
Short-Term Influenza Vaccine Shortages
The sudden death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu due to pneumonia linked to influenza has heightened public demand for the flu vaccine across East Asia, leading to shortages in local markets.
However, MOH assured that the shortage is “temporary” and that medium-term supplies remain sufficient for existing immunisation plans, including vaccines for Hajj pilgrims.
“The MOH’s Pharmacy Services Programme is taking necessary steps to stabilise private sector vaccine availability as soon as possible,” the statement added.
Influenza Epidemiology And Global Trends
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seasonal influenza causes between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths annually. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), at least 18,000 influenza-related deaths were recorded in the UK over two winter seasons between 2022 and 2024.
It is standard practice for high-risk groups, including senior citizens and those in long-term care facilities, to receive flu shots before winter to reduce severe cases and ease the burden on health care systems. Other vulnerable groups include:
- Seniors and residents of long-term care facilities.
- Pregnant women, up to two weeks postpartum.
- Children under two years old.
- Individuals with chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD.
- Heart disease patients.
- Individuals with neurological conditions affecting muscle or respiratory function.
- Diabetics and those with metabolic disorders.
- People with weakened immune systems due to illness (e.g. HIV, cancer) or medical treatment (e.g. chemotherapy).
- Stroke survivors.
Annual Vaccination And Prevention Measures
The MOH recommends annual influenza vaccination, especially for seniors with chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and kidney disease.
In Malaysia, the optimal time for vaccination is March or September to prepare for flu seasons in the Southern Hemisphere (May to July) and Northern Hemisphere (November to January).
MOH also urged the public to practise good hygiene, including regular handwashing, proper cough etiquette, mask-wearing for high-risk individuals, and seeking medical attention if experiencing prolonged flu symptoms.
