COVID-19: Study reveals that more than half are concerned about vaccines. What is going on?

In November 2020, Malaysia purchased 12.8 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently purchased additional 12.2 million doses of the same vaccine.

The country also signed agreements to secure 18.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and China’s Sinovac.

Now, Malaysia is expected to receive the first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines on February 26th, 2021.

According to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, over 80 per cent of Malaysia’s population are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year.

SO, WHAT IS GOING ON?

A recent study from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) revealed that only 43 per cent of respondents have good basic knowledge about the vaccines.

The study that involved 1,406 respondents also found that 65 per cent agreed to take the vaccine and the majority of respondents believed that the vaccine could protect them from infection.

However, 33 per cent felt that the vaccine might not be effective, but more than half of respondents are concerned about the content of vaccines.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS AND SETBACKS?

Safety and lack of confidence

The Muslim Consumer Organisation Malaysia (PPIM) expressed concerns over the safety aspects of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

They highlighted the cases reported on the side effects of vaccines which resulted in the death of 23 nursing homes occupants in Norway.

They urged for vaccine producers to provide all data related to clinical trials by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

Clinical Microbiologist, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences USIM, Associate Prof Dr Nurul Azmawati Mohamed said during a webinar session entitled ‘The fear towards COVID-19 Vaccine” co-organised by USIM and Science Media Center Malaysia said:

“Some of the respondents in the study were concerned about the production process and long-term effects of vaccines”.

“Many are sceptical about the vaccines produced by China. They are more confident in Western-produced vaccines,” she adds.

Halal status of vaccines

The Muslim community raised concerns that vaccine shots could contain substances forbidden in Islam. However, this has been addressed by the special Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Malaysian Islamic Affairs. The committee decreed that the COVID-19 vaccine is allowed, and even a necessity for specific groups.

Conspiracy theories

There is misleading information about the vaccines that have resulted in vaccine hesitancies. Claims such as the vaccine contain ingredients derived from pigs, to allegations the vaccines is a population control mechanism employed by the World Health Organisation, to suggestions that the vaccines are part of Bill Gates’s plans to microchip people.

WHAT DO EXPERTS SAY ABOUT THE SAFETY?

CASES IN NORWAY

According to Director of the Clinical Research Institute, Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr Kalairasu Pearisamy who is also Chairman of the Vaccine Selection Technical Working Group, reports of death involving occupants of a nursing home who received the COVID-19 vaccine shots must be studied further.

“The policy is such that their immunisation program started with those who are aged 80 years old and above.

“Every week, in Norway, 400 elderly people are reported to die in that country. The 23 elderly people who are reported to die due to vaccinations must be studied further as it might not be due to the vaccine itself. There is the possibility that the death is due to old age or other chronic diseases,” he said during an interview in Agenda AWANI program titled “Isu Keselamatan dan Keberkesanan Vaksin COVID-19” with Nazri Kahar on January 27th, 2021.

NPRA APPROVAL

Dr Kalairasu also further explained that there is a strict and stringent process in performing clinical trials, evaluating the safety of the vaccine to humans.

“There are three phases: firstly, the safety report to a regulatory body must be approved before trials are done on humans. The second phase, the efficacy of the vaccine will be studied.

“For Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, they have tested in over 40,000 people, from a diverse group of people. In their reports, we have read all the safety details and we accept this report as almost 95 per cent proven to reduce the symptoms”

“The Vaccine selection committee which includes experts from immunologists, infectious diseases specialists and statisticians have studied the report by Pfizer-BioNTech, and we are confident to nominate this vaccine for usage in Malaysia. NPRA has given conditional approval for a year for Pfizer-BioNTech,” he said.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS

Dr Kalairasu emphasized that it is normal for any individual who has been vaccinated to experience mild side effects and that it is only temporary.

“Data has shown that almost 10 million people have been vaccinated in the United States. Less than 29 per cent has shown mild side-effects.

“This number is very small if we compare it to the number of deaths caused by the virus. In Malaysia, there are four deaths in every 1000 people who are infected,” he said.

In terms of safety of ingredients in the vaccine, Dr Kalairasu reemphasized the regulated clinical trials which are done to ensure its safety of vaccines.

“We need to create awareness among Malaysians. They must know that it is safe so that we can control the spread of the virus and achieve herd immunity,” he said.

ADVICE TO HIGH-RISK GROUP

Data has shown 8 out of 10 who died due to COVID-19 is those who are aged 65 years and above. Dr Kalairasu recommends that this group must be vaccinated.

He also acknowledges that the younger group of people can be carriers of the virus, exposing the high-risk group to the virus.

“As long as we do not have any specific treatment for this virus, we can control the situation through vaccination.

“KKM is very much involved from vaccine nomination, to implementation of vaccine and observation after the vaccine has been administered to an individual.

“Don’t worry as KKM will observe any side effects and will take the necessary measure to ensure the safety of Malaysians,” he said.