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Cancer survivors encouraged to take Covid-19 jab, says deputy health DG

Cancer survivors who had their last treatment three to six months before receiving the vaccine should have no problem, he says.

Bernama
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Deputy health director-general says cancer survivors and people with disabilities are encouraged to be inoculated against Covid-19. Photo: AP
Deputy health director-general says cancer survivors and people with disabilities are encouraged to be inoculated against Covid-19. Photo: AP

There is no problem with cancer survivors and people with disabilities taking the Covid-19 vaccine, says deputy health director-general (research and technical support) Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim.

He said those who have taken the BCG shot to prevent tuberculosis will not face any issues in receiving Covid-19 vaccine shots, either.

“For cancer survivors who had their last treatment three to six months prior (to receiving the vaccine shots), they do not have any problem taking the vaccine. The same with people with disabilities, no problems.

“We do encourage them to get the vaccine because they are from the high-risk groups, besides those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, kidney and other chronic diseases,” he said on Bernama TV’s “Ruang Bicara” programme last night.

Those on immunosuppressants, such as cancer patients, however are not advised to take the vaccine for the time being until their treatment ends.

Hishamshah said for now, there is no clear data confirming that anyone who received BCG shots previously would be protected from the Covid-19 virus.

“Although there is a theory claiming there is protection, there is no clear data on it. (Although) many of us were given the BCG vaccine, there are still many who have been infected by Covid-19,” he said.