KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 — All those who experienced adverse reactions following Covid-19 vaccination in Malaysia have recovered and are awaiting their second jab, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said today.
Among the 20 most common adverse reactions that the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported, as of March 18, included dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations, vomiting, itchiness, throat discomfort, flushing, urticaria, numbness, chest tightness, cough, hoarseness of voice, wheezing, and chest discomfort.
Dr Adham, in a joint press conference by the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force, said these cases were the ones either seen at the observation bay, post-vaccination or through reports on MySejahtera.
“For adverse reaction cases that happen at the observation area in our vaccination centre, if they assess that the symptoms can prolong, they will be brought to the hospital,” Dr Adham said, referring to symptoms like chest tightness, wheezing etc.
“All of them have undergone treatment and discharged and are waiting for the second dose.”
The health minister also said that for these groups of people, the second dose of the vaccine will be given at the hospital, instead of at a public health clinic or a non-hospital vaccination site, for better observation.
Dr Adham also announced that the government will be providing special financial assistance to those who develop serious adverse reactions after taking the Covid-19 vaccine.
“RM50,000 if serious adverse reactions happen to Covid-19 vaccine recipients that require long-term treatment in the hospital and RM500,000 for permanent disability or death because of Covid-19 vaccines.”
The government has allocated RM10 million for the purpose of this special aid.
MOH has set up three separate committees to observe and assess adverse reactions and safety issues related to Covid-19 vaccines.
Among the committees set up include the Pharmacovigilance Committee to observe and assess the adverse reaction following immunisation. The second committee is the Medical Technical Committee which decides if there is a causal relationship between the Covid-19 vaccine and the adverse reaction.
“The assessment will be made on a case to case basis, based on the proof received from the Pharmacovigilance Committee for observation of Covid-19 vacccines,” the health minister said.
The third committee is the main committee for the special financial aid that gives the final approval of the financial aid.
