MoH has stockpile of 6,000 vials of rabies vaccine

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has a stockpile of 6,000 vials of rabies vaccine which are adequate to contain the spread of the disease.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam told parliament that only 2,000 vials of the 8,000 vials of rabies vaccine in the stockpile had been used.

"Actually, this is a non-issue since I had already replied. Alleging that there is shortage of rabies vaccine gives the impression that I gave the incorrect information.

"The Opposition is using this issue to gain political mileage. They should instead cooperate with the government in tackling this problem," he told a press conference at parliament building Tuesday.

Earlier, Stampin Member of Parliament, Julian Tan Kok Ping (DAP) was ejected from Dewan Rakyat by Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee for disrupting Dr Subramaniam.

Dr Subramaniam said the allegation that doctors did not give rabies vaccine injections to victims of dog bites were also untrue.

"We (the ministry) will give vaccine injection if the victim is bitten by a dog in a rabies infected locality. If a person is bitten by a dog outside the area, it not a standard operating procedure (SOP) to give the vaccine.

"However, the final decision whether or not to give the vaccine injection is determined by the doctor."

The government would only declare rabies free areas after no positive infection to humans and animals were reported in two years. No new rabies cases have been today.

The fifth rabies victim from Serian, Sarawak, died in Sarawak General Hospital on July 23,

--BERNAMA