Malaysia's free flu shot scheme sparks false 'depopulation' claims
- Published on February 28, 2025 at 07:50
- 2 min read
- By Raevathi SUPRAMANIAM, AFP Malaysia
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"Forced influenza vaccination has started," reads part of a Malay-language Facebook post on February 9.
It alleges the Ministry of Health's programme offering free shots for Malaysians with vulnerable immune systems was aimed at the "depopulation of the elderly by 2030".
The public should "save their parents", the post added, featuring screenshots of a ministry circular announcing the nationwide programme.
Similar claims also surfaced elsewhere on Facebook including in a group with more than 144,000 members.
But nowhere in the health ministry's circular does it indicate the vaccine programme is mandatory.
"This voluntary vaccination programme is a progressive step which will benefit 170,000 high risk elderly people," the ministry said in a statement on Facebook on February 10 (archived link).
Free jabs are available to those aged 60 or above with at least one existing health condition, such as diabetes, respiratory disease, heart problems, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia or chronic kidney disease.
"The purpose of this programme is to protect high risk individuals from the serious complications of influenza such as pneumonia, inflammation of the heart and sepsis, which could lead to hospitalisation or death," the statement added.
Dr Malina Osman, a public health expert at the Universiti Putra Malaysia, told AFP on February 28: "As established in published medical reports, the vaccines are safe" (archived link).
"The flu vaccine is proven to be safe. Severe side effects are extremely rare," the World Health Organization said in an information page (archived link).
People may still get the flu despite being vaccinated since the jab is specific to certain strains of the virus, the global health agency added.
"However, being vaccinated improves the chance of being protected from the flu. This is especially important to stop the virus affecting people with vulnerable immune systems."
AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation around influenza vaccination as well as claims alleging jabs are a tool for depopulation.
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