That was when Tanjung Karang MP, with a straight and serious face, claimed that the Sinovac vaccine had been around since 2018. Noh Omar (BN-Tanjong Karang) said it had been used for the treatment of worms.
Puzzled, vaccine minister Khairy Jamaruddin replied: “Thank you for the question but I don’t know which Covid-19 vaccine existed since 2018.”
He then pointed out that the virus itself was called Covid-19 because it was only discovered in 2019, and had not been heard of in 2018.
Noh’s gaffe had the MPs laughing, a change from the usual heated exchanges. But he stood his ground, saying the information was given to him by Pharmaniaga and it was not his fault if the company had given him the wrong information.
He had probably mixed up the Sinovac vaccine with Ivermectin, an unapproved drug that had always been used to kill heartworms in dogs.
Shortage of time
The day, however, belonged to Khairy who handled well the volley of questions thrown at him in quick succession.
In fact, as more MPs stood to ask questions, Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) made an appeal to speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to extend today’s sitting to allow Khairy to continue, only to see the speaker losing his cool.
Yeoh said that unlike health minister Adham Baba who did not want to answer questions, Khairy was willing to answer all questions.
However, Azhar retorted that the session would end at 5.30pm and he only had the power to extend it by a maximum of 15 minutes. He then told her to shut up and later switched off the microphones of all MPs.
Vaccines for the education sector
Khairy, in his explanation, said all teachers would receive their vaccine shots before schools reopen on Sept 1.
He added that as of July 27, 73% of teachers had received their first dose while 67% of support staff, including canteen workers and school bus drivers, were given their jabs.
Students heading to Europe or Australia, he said, could request for Pzifer or AstraZeneca as these countries do not recognise Sinovac.
Khairy asked the students to click on the MySejatera helpdesk for assistance and cancel any appointments they may already have been given for their vaccination.
No to mandatory shots but…
Those who are fully vaccinated will enjoy privileges that anti-vaxxers will not enjoy. The government has yet to announce the privileges but the rakyat are hoping to dine out once they are fully vaccinated. Khairy told the House that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin would be announcing the privileges list soon.
If you are 12 to 17 years old
Adolescents within this age groups are not required to be vaccinated as records from the United States show that it may affect the lungs. But Khairy said the national Covid-19 immunisation programme would offer vaccines to those with chronic illnesses on a voluntary basis.
Booster shots and vaccines mix
He also addressed another major concern that many have, saying that the government would announce next week if there is a need for booster shots for those fully vaccinated and the possibility of mixing vaccines to enhance immunity.
Khairy said a team of experts will base their recommendations on real-world data and clinical tests if it is safe. This move comes after some countries like South Korea and Germany allowed mixed vaccines due to interruption of vaccine supplies.
Even former Chancellor Angela Merkel has had a mix of AstraZeneca and Moderna for her two shots.
Prove Muhyiddin has the majority
Although politics was low-key for much of the day as MPs focused on saving lives and speeding up vaccination after the delay since February, a PAS MP caused a ruckus when he spoke up in favour of Muhyiddin.
Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman claimed that the prime minister had the majority, sending the House into chaos with opposition MPs challenging the government to go for a vote.
The challenge was not taken as the government MPs remained silent on the matter.
They may have had their doubts about winning a vote – after all, even Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was now sitting among the independents who do not support the government.