PETALING JAYA: With less than two weeks to the deadline for some 4.5 million people to get their booster shots or lose their fully vaccinated status, it seems likely that there will be many who will fail to meet the deadline.

       Some, though, have changed their minds about rejecting the booster shots when faced with the threat of losing their vaccination status.

       Indira Devi, 65, said she had initially wanted to take a wait-and-see approach. However, she is now more concerned about losing her vaccination status which could affect her day-to-day activities.

       The former fitness instructor said there had been delays in the issuance of the digital certificate on MySejahtera for her primary vaccination.

       With stores refusing to recognise vaccination cards and only accepting digital certs, she found it hard when running errands.

       “I don’t want to go through that again,” said the Penangite.

       Raj, 25, said he has yet to take his booster shot as he would prefer to get the Sinovac vaccine, the same as his first two doses.

       “I have not received my third jab because I am not sure if mixing vaccines could cause adverse reactions,” the business owner from Petaling Jaya said.

       Just like Indra, Raj said he will take the shot because he does not want his digital cert to be affected.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Feb 7 that some one million senior citizens and 3.5 million Sinovac recipients, comprising adults aged 18 and above, had yet to receive their booster shots.

       They could be at risk of being tagged as partially vaccinated again if they do not get their shots by March 1.

       Retiree Margaret Chong, 62, said she initially thought that it was harsh to impose such a rule, but her perspective has changed after understanding how vaccines work.

       “I understand now that it helps to alleviate the symptoms, not prevent the spread as a whole,” said Chong, who received the Sinovac vaccine first and a Pfizer booster.

       However, some say the Health Ministry’s move to take away the fully vaccinated status is unfair.

       Account director Shanty Dass from Kuala Lumpur said it is a discriminatory decision towards those who took the Sinovac vaccine, adding that such a directive must also be applicable to recipients of all brands of vaccine.

       Shanty said the vaccine hesitancy might be caused by previous experiences.

       “These individuals have weighed the pros and cons before making the decision. It is their body and they have freedom of choice,” said the 45-year-old, who has medical preconditions and opted for Sinovac for primary and booster shots.

       Chairman of the Volunteers for Community Engagement and Empowerment for Covid-19 Organisation, Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, also said it would be unfair for those who have already completed their primary doses to lose their fully vaccinated status simply because they refused the booster shot.

       “Two doses is adequate. A booster is only extra protection. Many people have reason to delay or abstain (from the shot),” he said, adding that the government should find out why people are concerned and address it differently.

       Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the Health Ministry is not being helpful or sympathetic towards people who do not want the shot, especially senior citizens.

       “The MOH has to take into account people’s fears, anxiety and experiences they have gone through and not be dismissive of them. There have been adverse effects for some people.

       “What are the reasons for these adverse effects?

       “How many booster shots are they to take eventually? Be open with us,” he said.