KOTA KINABALU – The stigma that the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines present worse side effects as compared to the Sinovac vaccine is now creating a problem for health teams in Sabah.
Sandakan district health officer Dr Johari Awang Besar said: “Even though recipients have the right to reject the inoculation, it is a hassle for health personnel as we have to cancel the appointments and seek replacements – whereas the names and time have been set earlier.
“I believe this is all caused by propaganda by certain people who have been spreading the wrong information. The fact is Pfizer is the best in terms of coverage,” he said.
Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt said members of the public members whom he met at the Covid-19 and voters registration counter today expressed their concerns over the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, doubting their safety and efficacy.
“People think that the Sinovac vaccine is better, and they are more confident with it. They are concerned with the side effects and safety of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines,” he said in a statement. “I hope the Health Ministry (MoH) can take note of this matter and provide clearer and more detailed information to the public.”
Senior citizen Bone Thiam received her first dose of Pfizer vaccine last week, but said she wished it was Sinovac instead. “I asked the medical personnel at the vaccination centre if they had a Sinovac vaccine, but they told me that the Pfizer vaccine must be finished first.
I believe this is all caused by propaganda by certain people who have been spreading the wrong information. The fact is Pfizer is the best in terms of coverage.
“I had no choice but to take the Pfizer vaccine because I was already there. But if I had a choice, all my friends (also senior citizens) and I would want to take China’s vaccine (Sinovac). My friends said they are safer,” the 68-year-old retiree said. –The Vibes, April 29, 2021
