Free influenza programme for seniors has slots filled at over 100 govt clinics nationwide

 

Extra protection: Senior citizens registering to receive the vaccine at a government health clinic in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF /The Star

PETALING JAYA: The first day of the influenza vaccination drive for senior citizens was off to a good start, with slots at over 100 government health clinics across the country all taken up.

A check on MySejahtera showed that 146 health clinics were fully booked while some were running out of slots.

Almost all government clinics in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Johor were fully booked.

Terengganu and Perlis were among the states with the lowest uptake. 

A retiree, who only wanted to be known as Lee, said he registered for the flu jab as soon as the Health Ministry announced the vaccination drive.

He signed up on Feb 14 and got a slot yesterday.

“I have been following the news on the influenza outbreak abroad. Then there were also reports about the death of a celebrity (who died on Feb 2 of a flu-related illness at age 48). So, I wanted to get the jab as we have a trip to Japan soon,” he said.

Lee hoped the government would continue to provide annual flu vaccinations for senior citizens and other high-risk groups.

“Otherwise, the people may have to get it done at private clinics for a fee.

“This may discourage some senior citizens from getting the jab; RM90 is not affordable for many,” said the former teacher, who received his flu shot at a health clinic in Kuala Lumpur.

Last week, the Health Ministry said that Malaysians aged 60 and above suffering from at least one chronic condition – such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart disease, hypertension and kidney illness – could get the vaccine for free starting yesterday.

The initiative is expected to benefit about 170,000 senior citizens.

K. Ramani, 67, said her son helped her register for the flu jab on the MySejahtera app.

“My son advised me to get the jab although the cases are not that high in Malaysia.

“I have diabetes and heart disease. So it is better to take the necessary precautions,” said the grandmother of four, who got her jab at a health clinic in Gombak.

“The process was smooth and it did not take long,” she added.

Senior citizens are not only turning to government health clinics for the flu jab. Some of them opted to do so at private clinics.

Lecturer Dr Norain Othman, 65, said she took the flu jab earlier in preparation for an umrah trip last month.

“It is a requirement that we fill in a medical book and provide proof of vaccination. So, I went to a clinic that offered the vaccine.”

She received her jab at a private clinic in Shah Alam, paying RM120 for it.

As for side effects, Norain said she only experienced mild body aches for a day or two.

She said the flu vaccination gave her an added sense of security, especially when she was in a crowded environment during the umrah.

“At my age, I can be more vulnerable to diseases carried by people from all over the world because of my weaker immune system.

“I am not in the best of health, as I have diabetes and high blood pressure,” she said.

Norain also said her niece, who had travelled to Japan, caught the flu when she returned and was later diagnosed with influenza.

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'Ne Zha 2' surpasses 'Inside Out 2', tops global animated film box office

Photo: People's Daily

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 topped the global animated film box office chart on Tuesday, surpassing Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide. As of 7:35 pm on Tuesday, Ne Zha 2 has achieved a box office revenue of 12.32 billion yuan ($1.6984 billion), according to ticketing platform Dengta.

Inside Out 2 is an animated coming-of-age film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures in 2024, which has already grossed over $1.6983 billion globally, according to international film review platform IMDb.

Shi Wenxue, a veteran cultural critic based in Beijing, told the Global Times that Ne Zha 2 topping the global animated film box office not only highlights the rise and market potential of Chinese cinema with a growing recognition and anticipation for high-quality content, but also demonstrates the global influence of Chinese animation in both technology and culture.

According to CCTV, Ne Zha 2 has been released simultaneously in 770 theaters across more than 400 cities in 48 states in the US, as well as in 42 cities across 10 provinces in Canada.  

In Oceania, the film officially premiered on Thursday, with 124 theaters screening the film, setting a new record for Chinese-language films in the region over the past 20 years in terms of screenings. 

The X account @DiscussingFilm posted shortly after the film's release, predicting that Ne Zha 2 could become the first animated film in history to gross over $2 billion.

The BBC reported on February 10 that Ne Zha 2 has now become the highest-grossing film ever in China.

Currently, the film holds a rating of 8.3 on IMDb. Though for some foreign audiences, Ne Zha 2 is not a film they are familiar with or well-acquainted with, some international audience still gave the film high ratings explaining their reasoning that "While non-Chinese viewers may not fully understand the story, the action and visual effects are impressive enough to leave a lasting impression."

Shi noted that in the past, US animated films, especially those by Pixar, focused on the global market both in terms of industry and storytelling. Through universal emotional resonance and innovative yet accessible narratives, these films were able to reach a diverse audience. This is also why Inside Out 2 topped the global animated film box office chart.

"Today, despite being based on Chinese mythology, Ne Zha 2 still presents a certain cultural barrier for many overseas viewers. However, the film similarly features universal emotional appeal, a visually striking and unique aesthetic, and the positive word-of-mouth effects brought by its box-office success. This will encourage more viewers to seek out additional information to satisfy their curiosity, gradually reducing the barriers to entry and expanding its audience," Shi said.

By Sunday at 9:14 pm, China's 2025 annual box office (including pre-sales) had surpassed 20 billion yuan, setting a new record for the fastest-ever 20 billion yuan milestone in Chinese film history. Ne Zha 2 led the pack with an overwhelming 59.4 percent market share.

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Get vaccinated, seniors urged; Free flu shots a relief for senior citizens but uptake uncertain

 PETALING JAYA: Elderly Malay­sians should not miss the opportunity to get vaccinated free against influenza starting tomorrow, say health experts.

Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said senior citizens, who are eligible for the free vaccination, should take full advantage by registering as soon as possible for the vaccine.

“The flu vaccine is beneficial, especially for the elderly, as it is shown to be effective in protecting against complications from the flu.

“Older persons with comorbidities are at higher risk of complications, which can even lead to hospitalisation and, in some cases, death.

“Taking precautions such as getting vaccinated is strongly advised,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Dr Kalwinder, however, raised concerns over the availability of the flu vaccine at private clinics and hospitals.

“Many patients are now heeding the advice of taking precautions against the flu and asking for the vaccine.

“While we fully support the government’s free vaccination programme for high-risk seniors at government clinics, it is equally important to recognise the vital role general practitioners play in community vaccination efforts.”

He also urged the Health Ministry and vaccine suppliers to ensure adequate distribution of vaccines to private clinics and hospitals to prevent gaps in immunisation coverage.

On Feb 10, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced the expansion of the Influenza Immunisation Programme, which was launched in 2006, to cover not only frontline healthcare workers but also senior citizens aged 60 and above with at least one chronic illness.

The rollout of the voluntary vaccination exercise will begin on Feb 18 and is expected to benefit over 170,000 high-risk senior citizens via appointments made via the MySejahtera app.

Public health expert Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said it is commendable that the government is expanding its immunisation programme by providing free influenza vaccinations for those above 60, particularly those with existing comorbidities.

“The risk of developing severe complications from the flu is significantly higher for elderly individuals, particularly those aged 65 and older.

“This is because they are at a much higher risk compared to younger adults due to their weakened immune system,” she said.

Although she did not provide the exact numbers, Dr Sharifa said flu-related deaths are the highest among the elderly.

“Influenza can result in a host of complications, such as pneumonia, including sepsis.

“Getting vaccinated offers protection to the elderly against developing such complications, which could prove fatal,” she added.She advised senior folk who are eligible to make the effort to get vaccinated.

“Those operating homes or centres for the care of the elderly must make it a priority for seniors under their care to be vaccinated under the programme.”

In 2023, pneumonia surpassed heart-related disease as the leading cause of death in the country, which accounted for 8,181 deaths, or 15.2% of 119,952 medically certified deaths for that year.

Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said the elderly should not take influenza lightly but seize the chance to get vaccinated for free.

“Clinically speaking, there have been cases that have gone badly for those in this group.”

He added that it becomes challenging for doctors treating elderly patients towards recovery due to complications linked to influenza.

Free flu shots a relief for senior citizens but uptake uncertain

Vital living: Darren Tay (second from left) with other senior citizens exercising in Bukit Dumbar, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Retiree R. Sega­ran, 63, had been considering a flu shot after hearing about relatives getting sick.

However, concerned about the cost, as he now lives on his savings, he hadn’t enquired about it at private clinics.

So when the government announced free flu jabs for senior citizens with chronic illnesses, he was relieved.

“I have diabetes and hypertension. Since last year, I’ve heard about so many friends and relatives getting the flu, and it seemed to affect them badly. I thought a wave of Covid-19 was back.

“I haven’t caught the flu yet because I stay home with my wife most of the time.

“I am definitely signing up for the free jab via MySejahtera when it starts,” said the former factory technician.

Starting tomorrow, all Malay­sians over 60 with at least one chronic illness are eligible for free influenza vaccinations by registering through the MySejahtera app.

Housewife Doreen Phor, 56, said she would not hesitate to get the free flu vaccine, but she is four years too young.

“I recently got my influenza shot at a private clinic, and it cost me RM80.

“With the increasing number of influenza cases in the community, we should not only protect ourselves but also those around us.

“Although I spend most of my time at home and am relatively safe, others could still carry the virus and spread it,” she said yesterday.

She added that her family members have also received their flu shots and would gladly accept the vaccine if it is offered by the government.

“My last jab was in August, and since the dose is expected to be effective for a year, I would gladly take it again this August if the government provides it for free.”

However, retired fish farmer Teh Ah Teik, 64, remains hesitant about getting the jab.

He has not applied for it despite having taken the flu vaccine once, many years ago.

“A few years back, before travel­ling to Taiwan, I got a flu shot at a local clinic.

“But since I have no plans to travel to cold places anytime soon, I don’t see the need for another flu shot, even if it’s free.

“Instead, I focus on keeping myself healthy by walking for about an hour every day.”

Phor and Teh are among many senior citizens who have expressed mixed opinions on whether to apply for or receive the flu vaccine.

Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said eligibility for the free flu vaccination requires registration and appointments through the MySejahtera app.“A total of 24 health clinics in Penang have been selected to provide the vaccines to eligible ­recipients,” he said.

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DeepSeek sparks buying spree of Chinese equities

 

DeepSeek Photo: VCG

While the artificial intelligent (AI) model developed by Chinese tech start-up DeepSeek has stunned the tech world, the company's breakthrough - a demonstration of China's innovation strength - has also triggered a buying spree among global financial institutions and hedge funds of Chinese equities.

To date, the benchmark Hang Seng Tech index has entered a bull market, rising more than 30 percent in the past month. Also in just the past month, China's onshore and offshore equity markets have added more than $1.3 trillion in total value, according to a Bloomberg report. 

The sweeping momentum highlights how the recent AI-driven development has been serving as a catalyst for global capitals to broadly reappraise Chinese assets, which have been largely undervalued in the past few years, analysts said, while expecting that foreign investors' confidence on Chinese equities will be further lifted up in the long-term along with tech-fueled industrial upgrade, more economic supportive measures as well as a robust economic growth streak.

According to the Bloomberg report on Sunday, hedge funds have been "piling into Chinese equities at the fastest pace in months," while another emerging market, India, in contrast is suffering a record exodus of cash, with market valuation shrinking by more than $720 billion in the past month. 

The MSCI China Index is on track to outperform its Indian counterpart for a third-straight month, the longest such streak in two years, the report said.

The bullish sentiment has led to an extended Chinese tech stock rally across the board. 

As of Friday's closing, Nasdaq-listed Chinese tech stocks have gained by approximately 24 percent since the beginning of the year, news website 21jingji.com reported. In A-share market, the price of AI-related equities in the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses also skyrocketed, with a batch of them surging by over 50 percent since trading reopened in early February.

"DeepSeek's surging popularity has offered a window of investment opportunities for foreign capitals, which has once again placed the limelight into Chinese tech industries and the broader Chinese assets," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

Integrating with real economy 

China's leading social media platform WeChat confirmed with the Global Times on Sunday that it is conducting small-scale testing to integrate DeepSeek's R1 large model. It added that multiple Tencent products, including Tencent Cloud's AI code assistant, are exploring integration with DeepSeek to offer users a richer experience and enhanced services.

In addition, multiple Chinese sectors, ranging from automakers, internet companies and industrial manufacturers to information service providers, have been integrating DeepSeek's large language models (LLMs) for enhanced AI capabilities. 

Dong Shaopeng, a senior research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Sunday that this adaption signals a "critical historical phase" for China's AI models. 

There used to be some pessimist narratives surrounding China's homegrown tech innovations, but the stunning debut of DeepSeek marked a "watershed," an equity fund manager based in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, who prefers not to be identified, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

Analysts said the DeepSeek-triggered Chinese equities rally would not be a short-term speculative frenzy, but instead will be a "strategic repositioning" and a "long-term" bullish run" that not only takes into account the country's cutting-edge technologies, but also a package of pro-growth policies and sound economic fundamentals. 

Kuang Zheng, chief investment officer for HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth in China, said that DeepSeek's success could serve as a catalyst for further technological innovation among China's private enterprises, potentially leading to more groundbreaking advancements in the tech sector and boosting investor confidence in the Chinese stock market, according to a Beijing Daily report. 

Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times over the weekend that he believes that Chinese companies' significant advantages in the AI software sector will give it a competitive edge in AI applications. And with the world's largest consumer market, China is poised to drive the global industrial shift from hardware infrastructure to software services. 

"Chinese tech sectors like AI, big data, and internet technologies are set to profoundly transform the country's asset structure. This transformation will optimize and drive growth in traditional industries, offering an extended boost to the Chinese real economy," Dong said, noting that is one of the primary reasons that Chinese assets have been captivating foreign investors in recent days.

A number of foreign financial institutions and equity funds have issued upbeat calls on Chinese equities since late January. 

"It would seem that we are less than halfway through the rally" driven by DeepSeek, UBS strategists including James Wang wrote in a note released in February, according to a Bloomberg report in February 12. 

Ample liquidity and lower interest rates should help AI-related names to further re-rate, they added.

"We think 2025 is the year the investing world realizes China is outcompeting the rest of the world," Deutsche Bank said in a February report entitled "China Eats the World" that went viral on Chinese social media platforms, according to a report by the South China Morning Post in early February.

JPMorgan strategists including Rajiv Batra noted that fund flows into Chinese internet names have been positive this year, with a surge following the DeepSeek shock, according to the Bloomberg report on February 12. "We see a window of opportunity in Asia over the coming months, with another tactical rally in China driving upside," they were quoted as saying in the report.

Leading US bank Goldman Sachs forecast potential gains of 14 percent year-on-year for the MSCI China index by the end of 2025 in its base case, while up to 28 percent in its bull case outlook, according to a research report published by Goldman Sachs in early February.

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