With the vaccines arriving on 21 February, most of us are anxious about getting vaccinated.
However, the Covid-19 Vaccination Guidebook has managed to shed some light on the process and its side effects. The government aims to vaccinate up to 80% of the adult Malaysian population by February 2022. The vaccination will be carried out in different phases targeting different groups of people.
- Phase 1 (February – April 2021) for 500,000 frontline and essential workers,
- Phase 2 (April – August 2021) for 9.3 million people that are above the age of 60 and/or those deemed high risk,
- Phase 3 (May 2021 – February 2022) for 13.7 million people who are above 18.
There are 605 vaccination centres as of now but this is subject to change.
Our government will be using vaccines from different sources and they have confirmed that we are unable to choose which vaccine we will be getting.
The registration for the vaccination can be done through the following mediums:
- MySejahtera
- Online registration ( https://www.vaksincovid.gov.my/)
- Hotline (TBA)
- Manual registration at government and private health institutions
- Outreach program for people in the suburbs and rural areas
This is how vaccination will take place.
The period between the two doses are as follow:
- Pfizer & Sputnik V – 21 days
- AstraZeneca – 28 days
- Sinovac – 14 days
Those who experience side effects can report it through MySejahtera, the NPRA website, or to their nearest healthcare provider. Possible side effects might last 2-3 days and they include:
- Pain at the area of vaccination
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Discomfort
- Swollen lymph nodes
Former Health Deputy Director-General (Medical), Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon, has also clarified that the vaccine is safe and it does not contain any microchip that will control the person’s mind when injected, reported Daily Express.
The vaccination will be free for citizens and non-citizens and as of now, it is not mandatory yet. It is important to note that certain individuals, such as those with severe allergies, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, Covid-19 positive individuals, and individuals with an immune system problem will need to consider the vaccination carefully.
In a vaccination permission form that has since been uploaded on the Penang Health Department’s website, a clause on it states:
“This vaccine does not give full guarantee that I will not get Covid-19 in the future.”
According to the CDC, it takes a few weeks for the body to build up immunity against Covid-19 after vaccination. It is possible for the person to be infected in the window of time (after vaccination to before achieving immunity). Hence, it is very important for us to still practice physical distancing, wear mask,s and sanitise regularly even after getting vaccinated.
Speaking to a few Malaysians, we have asked them about their opinions on vaccination.
Vivian, 80
“At first, I was skeptical about it as everybody responds differently to the vaccine and there is no guarantee that your body will respond worse (especially if you have pre-diagnosed diseases). But now after seeing how the vaccine has worked for other countries, I am more open to taking it.”
Beth, 77
“I’m definitely not taking the vaccine because of the side effects. No one is 100% sure whether it will prevent you from getting infected, I’m healthy in my old age and I think just following the SOPs will be enough.”
Shirley, 78
“I have no intentions to take the vaccine yet as I am already so old. If the vaccine’s side effects turn out horribly, it might be even worse than if we got Covid-19 in the first place! I say wait it out. See how everybody else reacts to the vaccine first. If all is well, maybe I will reconsider.”
Agnes, 35
“I am a little skeptical of the vaccine so I might just wait it out. However, I am leaning towards taking the vaccine.”
Ad, 31
“I’m thinking of not taking the vaccine because I am afraid of the side effects.”
Dee, 26
“I have no reservations on taking the vaccine.”
What about you? Let us know if you will be taking the vaccine.
Also read: Some Malaysians Working In SG Have Already Gotten the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine
