Covid-19 vaccines, all we need to know (Simplified)- Part 2

The national Covid-19 immunization programme in Malaysia was officially launched on February 24th, 2021. As of August 10th, 2021, a cumulative 25,366,211 vaccine doses were given to Malaysians, out of which 16,119,916 people (68.9%) have received the first dose of the vaccine while 9,246,295 or 29.5% of the population have completed both doses (1). With the current rate of vaccination (approximately 200,000 doses a day for the 2nd dose), we could expect to reach herd immunity (80%) at least by early November 2021.

Meanwhile, a research paper published in the BMC Public Health had shown that Malaysians are generally opened for vaccination (83.3%), however, a significant number of elderlies aged 60 years and above as well as the pensioners were mostly concerned over the vaccines’ side effects (95.8%), safety (84.7%), and effectiveness (63.6%) (2). Moreover, the anxiety among the public has been further heightened with the reported Myocarditis and blood clot cases worldwide due to the Covid-19 vaccination. With the growing fears, hence, can we perceive that the covid-19 vaccines are safe to use?

Little is known that the anomalies reported due to the Covid-19 vaccines were perceived as minimal risks when compared to the vaccines’ actual benefits overall. In the case of myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle) for instants, the risks reported were particularly in individuals who were given the 2nd dose of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer & Moderna). Males aged 12 – 29 years were mostly found vulnerable; however, the reported cases were almost negligible, approximately 12.6 cases per million doses. The explanation for myocarditis development and in males particularly were unclear, however, it was hypothesized that in some severe cases, the dis-regulation in immune cells and hormones could be the cause.

On the other hand, there were a small number of rare blood clot conditions coupled with reduced platelet counts were reported at the beginning stage of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and AstraZeneca vaccines administration. Contrarily to the mRNA vaccines, J&J and AstraZeneca were found more vulnerable in young women (not more than 50 years). Till late March 2021, approximately 86 cases were reported in Europe out of 25 million people vaccinated. Again, the reported irregularities were negligible when compared to the vaccines’ benefits overall. As previously, the reason for blood clotting after the vaccination is unclear, however, it was speculated that the cause could be due to the vectors used in the vaccines or the potential contaminants that present in the vector.

Nevertheless, that the Covid-19 vaccines were approved for emergency use due to the sudden coronavirus outbreak, the vaccines were indeed gone through intense clinical trials to test their safety and effectiveness. The testing processes for the vaccines didn’t skip any steps. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are two regulatory bodies that transparently monitor the coronavirus vaccination process in the US. When myocarditis and blood clot cases were reported in April 2021, CDC and FDA had instructed to pause the vaccination process, thoroughly reviewed the safe use of vaccines and only when it was assured safe, the vaccinations were resumed. Till-to-date, both CDC and FDA continue to monitor problems and side effects that arise from vaccination. Hence, the Covid-19 vaccines are indeed safe to use even though negligible anomalies were reported in the past.

1. N.A. Covid-19: Close to 360,000 vaccine doses administered on Tuesday (Aug 10). The Star Malaysia (2021).

2. Syed Alwi, S. A. R. et al. A survey on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and concern among Malaysians. BMC Public Health 21, 1129 (2021).