GEORGE TOWN: Some of the Malaysians who will lose their vaccinated status for failing to take their booster shots do not really care about the government’s move.

       Some could not be bothered by the fact, while others said they were too scared to take the booster jab.

       Many of those interviewed said they were willing to put up with the inconvenience of being marked as “not fully vaccinated” on their MySejahtera app.

       Businessman Mohd Kamal Shah, 51, said he had terrible side effects from his first two shots.

       “I am afraid to take the booster after the horrible experience,” he said, adding that said he was afraid the booster jab might give him something bad.

       The Ipoh-based businessman denied he was against vaccination, as he did take two doses, and insisted his hesitation over the booster jab was over its potential side effects.

       “I hope the government can make an exemption for people like me, especially those over 50 and who have experienced bad side effects from their earlier vaccinations,” he said.

       A senior citizen, who wanted to be known only as Muthu, said he did not mind losing his vaccination status as he only stayed at home with his family.

       “I am too weak to move. My children tend to my needs,” he added.

       The 72-year-old grandfather of three said he hesitated to take the booster after hearing stories of “nasty side effects”.

       He said with his uncertain health condition, he decided to stay safe by avoiding people other than his family members.

       Mohd Iqbal Hamdan, 29, missed his booster dose appointment after contracting Covid-19 last week.

       “I was planning to walk in for the jab but got infected,” he said.

       The part-time photographer said he hoped the government would let those who missed their boosters, like him, get the dose next month through special appointments.

       A check on several vaccination centres on mainland Penang and the island yesterday saw no last-minute rush to get booster doses.

       Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das noted there were many who believed that vaccines other than CoronaVac would cause more side effects.

       “But getting boosted means that if anyone is infected, the infection will be less severe, and the duration of the infection will be shorter.

       “Not only will being infected be less disruptive to our lives, but it also means there is a lower chance of transmitting the virus to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those with comorbidities and children,” she said.

       With restrictions being relaxed and borders opening up, Kumitaa said booster doses are important now more than ever.

       A state Health Department official said statistics have proven that adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) of booster doses are lower than the vaccination of early doses.

       “In Malaysia, there are only 0.1 cases of light AEFI for every 1,000 booster doses administered compared with 0.4 cases per 1,000 with earlier doses.

       “For severe AEFI, there are only 0.005 cases per 1,000 booster doses administered,” said the official.