BUTTERWORTH: Most Sinovac vaccine recipients prefer to get the same brand for their booster shot, citing “less side effects”.

       Among them was mechanic Poh Poh Eng, 48, who opted for the same brand of vaccine for his booster dose and refused the mix-and-match option.

       Last year he received two doses of the Sinovac vaccine.

       “I came for my booster to avoid losing my ‘fully vaccinated’ status in MySejahtera.

       “Despite being given a choice of Pfizer or AstraZeneca, I chose to continue with Sinovac as there were few side effects after taking two doses before.

       “It is definitely an inconvenience to return again after three months for another Sinovac booster and to possibly pay for it,” said Poh at the vaccination centre in Persatuan Ang Si Chong Soo recently.

       Poh, who lives with four family members, said his daughter followed suit by taking Sinovac for all three doses as she had the same concerns.

       Bank executive Rashidah Abu Hassan, 42, gave the same reasons for choosing Sinovac all the way.

       “I just feel comfortable with Sinovac as there were no side effects from the two earlier doses.

       “I don’t often go out for social events, but for work it’s almost daily.“With two sons aged 11 and seven months at home, it is better that I am fully vaccinated for their safety,” she said.

       Penang health committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said till Feb 23, 81.7% of those in the state’s senior citizen group received their booster shots, with 80.7% opting for Sinovac.

       Meanwhile, factory odd job worker Chew Leong Hoe, 51, who had earlier received two Sinovac shots, chose Pfizer for his booster after learning from medical officers at the vaccination centre that he might have to take a fourth shot and even pay for it three months down the road.

       “I don’t want to return again for another dose after three months, which I may have to bear the cost.

       “But I want to remain ‘fully vaccinated’ in MySejahtera to be allowed to go to a dine-in place and factories for work,” he said.

       Earlier it was reported that the booster deadline for adult Sinovac recipients has been extended to March 31.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted as saying that starting April 1, the vaccination status on the MySejahtera app will change to “incomplete” for those who have not received their booster dose.