PETALING JAYA: The fear of the rising number of Covid-19 cases is trumping the fear of side effects as more senior citizens are now willing to get their second booster shot.
Despite the initial hesitance, they now say it is better to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia public health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said many were hesitant to get booster shots due to pandemic fatigue and a fear of potential side effects.
“There are also groups advising others not to do so,” she said.
She stressed that a booster shot would prevent severe complications from the virus.
“Every time you get a booster, you are protecting yourself against infections and new variants.
“The sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 are also known to evade immunity, which can cause reinfection,” she said.
A retiree who wanted to be known only as Brian, 66, said he was still undecided about taking his second booster shot despite the Health Minister’s call for seniors to do so.
“I’m mainly hesitant because of the side effects from my first booster dose that left me feeling weak and frail for a week.
“But I may as well brave the side effects as cases seem to be on an upward trend. I wouldn’t want to endanger my health,” he added.
He said he would get his daughter to contact the nearest vaccination centres in the area to check whether walk-ins were permitted.
Tutor Suzanna Hamdan, 54, said she would only take the second booster jab if the vaccine was the same as her first one.
“I had a fever after my first two doses but did not experience any side effects when I took a different vaccine as a booster,” she noted.
Housewife Caryn Chan, 51, said she was open to getting her second booster shot once an appointment is given.
“I understand its importance and will not hesitate once a date is given,” she said, adding that she had been down with Covid-19 earlier.
Sheila Muhammad, 32, is taking a wait-and-see approach until reports on side effects of the fourth dose are made public.
“If three doses are enough to prevent severe symptoms when infected, I don’t think it would be necessary to take the extra jab,” she said.
In Johor Baru, retiree A. Dave Madhavan, 63, said he planned to take the second booster shot as those who are 50 and above need extra protection against Covid-19.
“We can see that there are many variants these days,” he said.
