Taking to Twitter, @yoongkhean shared his opinion that the benefits of AstraZeneca vaccines outweigh the risks.
Basing his point-of-view from his medical background, @yoongkhean writes “I think we have established that the benefits far outweigh the risks now.”
“Most news sites mention that incidences of clots are higher in the younger age group and mostly higher among women.”
“However, European regulators did not mention these two groups as risk factors, but merely highlighted that incidences occur higher in these two groups.”
He explains that media sites cannot confirm their claims because there is no sufficient data on the incidences.
“Vaccine rollouts goes across different age groups, occupation, etc. This means that we do not have a full set of data yet.”
Not going to repeat the ultra low incidence of blood clots in the AZ vaccines, think we’ve established that the benefits far outweigh the risks now.
But since tmrw is the big day, would like to offer some thoughts on other data, re: risk factors for the clots.
— Yoong (@yoongkhean) May 1, 2021
He points that the high incidence in women is because most AstraZeneca vaccines were distributed to Healthcare Workers, which were predominantly women.
“The data set is skewed. You cannot make a good inference if data is not representative of the population.”
“The higher incidence of blood clots in the younger age group may occur because the group received higher attention than in the elderly.”
“Blood clots occur in the elderly somewhat regularly.”
In making the final decision, whether or not you should get vaccinated, here is what @yoongkhean has to say: “If you are 50-50 about it, think of it this way. Weigh the risk of getting Covid-19, the complications/death from it versus the benefits of the vaccine to you and those around you.”
“No medical decision is straightforward, without risks or cut and dry. That’s just how it is.”
It is important to weigh all options in making important decisions like this. In retrospect, many medical experts have stepped forward to make us all realise the importance of getting vaccinated if the chance presents itself.
Why wait?
Also read: KL & Selangor Residents Can Book Your AstraZeneca Vaccine Starting 2 May From 12pm
