PETALING JAYA: Senior citizens have urged the government to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine to them first instead of opening it up to the general population, considering that they are in the high-risk group.

However, Malaysians who will only be entitled to receive the vaccine under phase three of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme welcomed the government’s decision, noting that it would speed up the vaccination process.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Dr Pola Singh, 72, said he was prepared to take the AstraZeneca vaccine as being a male, the blood clot problem was a non-contentious issue.

“There is no foolproof vaccine or medication that does not result in side effects. I think it is safe for use. I believe in fate and faith.

“If we are serious in tackling the pandemic, we must reach the herd immunity stage quickly.

“This means the vaccination process, especially among the seniors, should be expedited.

“Since we have the AstraZeneca stocks readily available, it should be used and given to seniors first, followed by those who are not so fussy with the type of vaccines and others who have no objections to the vaccine, ” the government retiree said.

Give it to us: (From left) Dr Pola, Ashvin, Wong and Ryan are all ready for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Former chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said the government should have offered the vaccine first to those who were aged above 60 as they were in greater risk of being infected.

Azman said the government should not have offered the vaccine on a “first come, first served” basis as it had inadvertently cast doubts on its efficacy.

“Why should doubts be cast on the vaccine just because there are four deaths per a million people?

“These doubts should not have been expressed in the first place, and they should have just proceeded with the vaccine.

“I don’t see why there are concerns when medical experts and even the World Health Organisation have declared it safe. These isolated cases have been blown out of proportion.

“We have to be on the safe side as well but the risk of delays in vaccination and not being vaccinated at all far outweigh whatever fears there are about this vaccine, ” he said.

Azman also said offering the vaccine on a voluntary basis would further delay the vaccination process to achieve herd immunity.

Recently, the AstraZeneca vaccine came under scrutiny due to a possible risk of blood clots forming.

On Wednesday, Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the AstraZeneca vaccine would be offered on a “first come, first served” basis to the public in the Klang Valley following public concerns on the vaccine.

Khairy said the vaccine would not be used in the mainstream immunisation programme but given through special vaccination dispensing centres.

On Twitter, Khairy said the vaccines would be provided for free and that there would not be a new round of registration, adding that a booking system would be announced soon.

Myra Tsin, 61, proposed that those above 60 be invited to turn up at any vaccination centre in the Klang Valley over a period of two weeks to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

After that, she said it should be opened to those in their 50s, 40s and others.

“I think there is a real demand for this vaccine given that Britain used it on all their citizens.

“So, I think the issue of blood clots is overblown, leading to people being fearful.

“If given the opportunity, I would certainly take it and allay public fear, ” the financial consultant said.

Ashvin Raj, 50, said he was delighted that the government would offer the vaccine for all, adding that the people should not fear as no vaccine was 100% foolproof.

“I’m willing to take the AstraZeneca vaccine. I think it should be fine since I’m 50.

“The ones who had blood clots are only a small percentage out of millions, ” said the human resources senior consultant.

Terence Wong, 27, said he was willing to take AstraZeneca so that he could live a normal life again.

“The current rollout of Pfizer and Sinovac vaccines is very slow as cases are rising once again.

“The worries of being infected far outweigh the anxiety about the side effects, ” the tuition teacher said.

Ryan Mohammed Habibullah, 33, who is an American expatriate, said based on the balance of probabilities, the risk of getting blood clots was small.

“The AstraZeneca vaccine is better than nothing as I have a higher chance of getting Covid-19, ” the digital content manager said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/30/senior-citizens-prefer-astrazeneca