IPOH: Volunteers, who were part of a Covid-19 Phase Three clinical trial and received placebos, should be vaccinated, says the Perak MCA public service and complaints bureau.

       Its chief Low Guo Nan said of the 3,000 volunteers who took part in the trial, only half received the vaccine.

       He said the volunteers were concerned for the safety and health, as well as that of their families.

       "Given that the transmission rate and daily cases of Covid-19 are still high nationwide, the affected volunteers are at a risk of infection.

       "The 13-month study will be completed in March next year, meaning they have to wait for another six months while being part of the high-risk group," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 29).

       It was reported on Jan 22 that thousands of Malaysian volunteers were screened for the clinical trials, which also involved nine Health Ministry hospitals.

       It was reported that Malaysia was the first country outside China to trial the vaccine, which was developed by the Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.

       Low said under the National Recovery Plan (NRP), clinical study volunteers were not categorised as vaccinate recipients.

       He said only Appreciation certificates, and alert cards were given to all volunteers for their involvement in the study.

       "This does not mean that they are vaccinated, because 50% of the volunteers are still not vaccinated.

       "I am hoping that the volunteers who are yet to be vaccinated can be inoculated soon," he added.

       Low also suggested for the study to be modified to become a crossover study, whereby volunteers who received the placebo are vaccinated, and vice versa.

       "This will ensure all participants are vaccinated. I hope the parties concerned will review the matter, and find a solution for the 3,000 volunteers nationwide," he added.