Last week, the use of the two vaccines – SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra – was halted following the deaths of several people who received flu shots in South Korea.

Singapore had also ceased the use of the vaccines.

In a statement today, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry had conducted a detailed risk assessment for both vaccines based on information reported by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and other international regulatory bodies.

He said the KDCA had confirmed that the likelihood of death as a result of the vaccine was very low.

Of the 83 people who received the vaccine and later died in South Korea, 72 died of other causes including existing illnesses. The cause of death for the 11 others was still being investigated, he said.

“KDCA also confirms no brand, manufacturer or vaccine batch number can be linked to the deaths,” he said.

Noor Hisham said the ministry’s checks also found the influenza vaccines brought into the country, including SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra, met quality standards.

“Further checks also show that no deaths were reported after the administering of any influenza vaccine in Malaysia.

“The adverse effects reported were those which usually occur and have been documented. As such, the health ministry does not find any issue of quality or safety which requires further action,” he said.