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Vaccine Justice and Bioethical Reflections of COVID-19 Immunization in Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Ravichandran Moorthy

    (Research Centre for History, Politics and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Sarjit S. Gill

    (Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Sivapalan Selvadurai

    (Center for Shaping Advanced and Professional Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Angelina Gurunathan

    (Research Centre for History, Politics and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

Abstract

Malaysia has the highest infection rate in Southeast Asia, with over 1 million positive COVID-19 cases and over 8500 deaths. The National Immunization Programme, which began in late February 2021, had a particularly slow vaccination rate, with only 4% of the targeted group receiving vaccination in three months. The delay has sparked a lot of public debate and concern, especially in light of allegations of vaccine injustice, unclear prioritization, queue jumping by people in positions of power, and other aspects of the vaccination process. Using an interpretative social science approach, this paper examines the ethical issues that arise in Malaysia’s COVID-19 vaccination discourse, focusing on vaccine justice and the bioethical principle of ‘respect for autonomy’. The paper finds that despite several shortfalls in the immunization process, most Malaysians remain optimistic and support the government’s immunization initiatives. The paper contributes to the understanding that building public trust is critical to the success of the immunization programme. Health agencies should make more efforts to inform the public about the benefits and risks of vaccines, as well as the transparency of immunization processes, which will increase public trust in health systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ravichandran Moorthy & Sarjit S. Gill & Sivapalan Selvadurai & Angelina Gurunathan, 2022. "Vaccine Justice and Bioethical Reflections of COVID-19 Immunization in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12710-:d:934849
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ravichandran Moorthy & Sivapalan Selvadurai & Sarjit S. Gill & Angelina Gurunathan, 2021. "Sustainable Societal Peace through the Integration of Bioethics Principles and Value-Based Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Yulan Lin & Zhijian Hu & Qinjian Zhao & Haridah Alias & Mahmoud Danaee & Li Ping Wong, 2020. "Understanding COVID-19 vaccine demand and hesitancy: A nationwide online survey in China," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Lakshmy Naidu & Ravichandran Moorthy, 2021. "A Review of Key Sustainability Issues in Malaysian Palm Oil Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-13, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ravichandran Moorthy & Sumayya Bibi, 2023. "Water Security and Cross-Border Water Management in the Kabul River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, January.

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