Bandar Seri Begawan - The public has lauded the Ministry of Health's drive to have residents in Brunei vaccinated against influenza A (HMI).

Despite some still having reservations on whether to get the Influenza A (HIND vaccine injections or not, those who had the shot have expressed their gratitude for the easy access of the vaccine in Brunei and urged others to follow suit. "It is important to be vaccinated, especially if you are a frequent traveller or have daily interactions with customers," said Yanti, a staff at a local sport merchandise store in Gadong.

"Information given by the Ministry of Health is more than enough to stress the seriousness of Influenza A (HINI)," she said. Devi, who is a friend of Yantis, said: "Bruneians should be more concerned and they should take the advantage given by the government to provide the vaccine for its people." Both Yanti and Devi are Indonesia nationals and green IC holders.

"In other countries, we have to pay for the vaccine. But in Brunei, even green IC holders can get vaccinated," Devi said, adding that this enables foreign workers who could not afford to pay for injections to be vaccinated. However, she added, "even if we have to pay, I will still pay. By getting the vaccine, it will help me do my work better and give me some peace of mind knowing that I'm not at risk."

A 52-year-old insurance manager who wanted to be known simply as Joseph said that he was a frequent traveler to Malaysia and Singapore, and is taking the HMI jab for protection. He related that his personal experience led him to take the precaution because his son was suspected to be infected with the virus. "In fact, I am actually looking forward to take the vaccine injection," he said.

He also commended the Ministry of Health's effort to make the public aware of the situation and facilitate the administration of the vaccines. The ministry on Saturday began giving HIM shots to the government and private sectors, as well as the public at the makeshift centre on the first floor of the National Indoor Stadium.

The centre comprises two vaccination rooms (for male and female), counselling and observation areas and facilities for the administration of the vaccines. Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, who was there to inspect the facility on Saturday told The Brunei Times that the ministry is improving their laboratories and monitoring capacky in line with the World Health Organisation's regulations for preventing coinmunicable diseases.

"We are complying with the international health regulations, and collaborating with other countries. This is a global threat," Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said. The minister urged the public not to procrastinate in getting their vaccinations.

"The vaccines are safe for majority of people, unless you have severe allergies to egg (which is the main source of the vaccine), then it is important to highlight it to the vaccinators, " he said, adding that there is enough vaccinesfor everyone at the moment, and the ministry will make arrangements to get more vaccines, if the need arises.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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