Cancer survivors encouraged to take COVID-19 vaccine - Dr Hishamshah

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no problem for cancer survivors and people with disabilities (PwD) to take the COVID-19 vaccine, said deputy health director-general (Research and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim.

In addition, he said those who have taken the Bacillus Calmette Gurrain (BCG) shot to prevent tuberculosis also do not face any issues to receive COVID-19 vaccine shots.

“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 in Bernama TV's ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme which discussed the topic First Phase of the COVID-19 Vaccine last night.

He said, however, for those on immunosuppressants, such as cancer patients, they are not advised to take the vaccine for the time being until their treatment is completed.

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

“Although there is a theory claiming there is protection, but 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.

-- BERNAMA