KUALA LUMPUR – A vast majority of Malaysians concur with efforts to have themselves vaccinated against Covid-19, despite prevailing fears about the effects of the vaccine on their bodies.
This finding is based on a Health Ministry (MoH) survey of 212,006 participants. Only 16% of the respondents said they would not be agreeable to taking Covid-19 vaccines.
Another 17% of the survey’s participants are unsure, while 67% agree to take the immunisation.
Revealing this in a Facebook post today, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the ministry understands the people’s worries on this matter.
He said that the concerns revolve around safety, effectiveness and side effects of the vaccine.
“The Health Ministry understands the worries and concerns regarding the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine and will take necessary steps to ensure transparent and accurate information will be transmitted,” he said in the post today.
On December 13, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced that the government plans to increase its purchase of the Covid-19 vaccine to cover the immunisation needs of about 60-70% of Malaysians, compared to 30% currently.
Malaysia is expected to receive its first batch of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines in January.
The nation will also receive AstraZenaca’s vaccine which is produced in collaboration with Oxford University.
In addition to being part of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Covax facility, Malaysians can expect to see Covid-19 immunisations from companies in China as well. - The Vibes, December 31, 2020
