PETALING JAYA: Many parents say they prefer the CoronaVac vaccine from China’s Sinovac because it reportedly has milder side effects.

       Lauding the government’s move to allow them to opt for CoronaVac from yesterday, parents met at the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) venue at the Axiata Arena Integrated Vaccination Centre (PPV) in Bukit Jalil said it was safer.

       Sadruddin Nasruddin, 49, a project manager from Kota Damansara, Selangor, said that since it is similar to conventional vaccines, he felt more confident about it for his seven-year-old son.

       “It’s not mRNA-based technology like other vaccines, plus based on my experience of those who took Sinovac, the side effects are milder. My son is still very young, so I would prefer him to get Sinovac,” he said.

       Sadruddin added that it is a good move to allow parents to choose the vaccine for their kids.

       “We are taking chances in whatever decision we make. At least, having the option would be a more calculated risk rather than having (no) choice,” he said.

       Another parent who wanted to be identified only as Wong said that since inactivated virus technology has a better track record, she decided to get her daughter the jab from Sinovac.

       She said she was also concerned about the adverse reactions her daughter might get from other vaccines and chose Sinovac since its reactions would be milder.

       “Once I heard the news on Sunday that they allowed Sinovac vaccine walk-ins for children, I promptly registered my 10-year-old daughter for it,” the 48-year-old added.

       Wong said she welcomes the move as it has given parents the freedom to choose what’s best for their children.

       Broadcasting company associate Sharool Faiz, 39, who brought his son to the PPV, said he also chose Sinovac because of its reportedly milder adverse effects.

       “We would not be sure how the child would react to other vaccines. I believe that Sinovac has milder reactions.

       “I feel that it is safer for my seven-year-old son,” he said, adding that he is glad the government has given him a choice.

       “Even if there was only one option, I would not delay my son’s vaccination as I want to protect him,” said Sharool, who came from Puncak Jalil, Selangor.

       A mother of two sons who only wished to be known as Ming said she even plans to purchase the Sinovac vaccine from the private sector.

       “I believe Sinovac will be safer, hence my husband and I prefer it to be given to our sons.

       “Once I heard the news that walk-ins for Sinovac would be allowed, I quickly registered them and brought them today,” she added.

       Based on The Star’s observations at the Axiata Arena Integrated PPV, the number of children who turned up for Sinovac was significantly lower than those who took Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccine.

       As at noon yesterday, 150 doses of Sinovac were administered at Axiata Arena, said its PPV manager Dr Mohd Fadhli Mohd Fauzi.

       He said that the centre could cater to more than a thousand Sinovac jabs a day, adding that parents would be provided consultation before they make their decision.

       “We will give information and emphasise that Pfizer is recommended. However, if they insist, we can offer Sinovac,” he told The Star.

       On Sunday, the Health Ministry announced that children aged five to 11 who are unable to receive Comirnaty for health reasons can opt for CoronaVac instead.