A Guide To The COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout In Malaysia

Eunis Ong

Last updated 29 Jun 2021

All You Need To Know About The COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccination against the COVID-19 has begun in countries across the globe from early December 2020. With the third wave of COVID cases forcing half of Malaysia into a second Movement Control Order (MCO), all hopes are on the vaccine to help us get back to our normal daily lives and get the world back on track after months of tough battle against the pandemic.

As we prepare ourselves for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine in Malaysia, read through our FAQ guide based on the latest news and get answers to some burning questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccine.

FAQs About The COVID-19 Vaccine

1. What Vaccines Are Available Right Now?

There are multiple vaccine options available globally - these different vaccines are produced by different companies and have distinct characteristics in terms of their technology, effectiveness rate, how they are taken and stored, as well as the way they work. We will not dive into too much detail about the differences of these vaccines, and you are encouraged to refer to credible sources such as the WHO official website for more information on this front.

In order for Malaysia to obtain herd immunity, at least 70% of our population (20 - 23 million) will have to be vaccinated. The vaccines will be obtained from a few different brands, with the first batch scheduled to arrive in Malaysia as early February 2021. Here's a breakdown of the distribution of different vaccines that will be obtained by Malaysia:

20% from Pfizer BioNTech
10% from Oxford AstraZeneca
10% from the WHO Covax facility
21.9% from Sinovac
10.9% from CanSinoBIO
10% from Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is all over the news since the opening of voluntary slots for interested Malaysians from May 2021 onwards. Find out more about the AstraZeneca vaccine here:

astrazeneca vaccine malaysia risks blood clot

FAQs About The AstraZeneca Vaccine: Is It Really Safe?

The AstraZeneca vaccine made headlines after findings that it causes blood clots and other risks. Registration for the vaccine opened up this month, and Malaysians are divided on whether to sign up for it.

2. When Will The Vaccine Be Available In Malaysia?

The Malaysian government is in final stage discussions with various vaccine providers to obtain enough vaccine shots to cover 26.5 million people, about 80% of the nation's population. It has been announced that Malaysia will receive its first batch of a million Pfizer vaccines doses on 21 February 2021.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mentioned that Malaysia will begin administering the first batch of vaccines from 26 February 2021 onwards. The Prime Minister will be among the first to receive the shot (to convince people that it is safe and effective), and it will then be extended to those who are most vulnerable, including frontliners and high-risk group individuals.

[Update, 30 Jan] The country's first batch of 62 volunteers have received their jabs for the COVID-19 vaccine phase three clinical trials which will involve a total of 3,000 volunteers in nine hospitals.

3. Is The COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Everyone?

While the COVID-19 vaccine should be safe for most people, there are certain groups of people who should not get the vaccine due to age and health concerns. This includes children (due to the lack of clinical testing done on individuals below the age of 16) and individuals who have had a tendency for allergic reactions to any vaccine or injectable medication.

Besides that, pregnant women, those who are breastfeeding, and people with certain immune-compromising conditions should only obtain the vaccine after careful consideration of the risks via consultation with healthcare professionals.

4. How Will The Vaccine Be Taken?

Most of the currently-available vaccines have to be taken in two shots (a priming dose followed by a booster shot) to be effective. These two shots will be administered weeks apart - the actual duration depends on which vaccine you'll be taking. Once you've gotten the vaccine shot, it will typically take a few weeks for your body to build immunity and protection against the COVID-19 virus.

5. How Much Will The Vaccine Cost?

The cost of the vaccine in Malaysia is reported to be RM77.35, as mentioned by the Deputy Finance Minister Mohd Shahar Abdullah. However, it has been announced that it will be given free to Malaysians (foreigners may have to pay a fee determined by the Ministry of Health). The Special Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Committee (JKJAV) in Malaysia is in discussions on whether free vaccinations will be provided to foreign workers and expatriates in Malaysia in order to effectively curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Update, 16 Feb] The government has announced that vaccines will also be free for foreigners in Malaysia including foreign workers.

6. Is It Compulsory To Take The Vaccine?

No, you will not be forced to take the vaccine if you don't want to, although it is highly-encouraged in order to help our nation achieve herd immunity. The vaccine shots will be voluntary once they become available, and Malaysians will get the option to sign up to get vaccinated via an app feature that will be rolled out on MySejahtera in the near future.

If you're concerned about the safety or effectiveness of the vaccine, we encourage you to do more research and reading in order to make a more informed decision once the vaccines are available!

7. How Will The Vaccine Be Distributed? Who Will Get It First?

High-risk groups that are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 such as frontliners, senior citizens, and individuals with autoimmune diseases will be prioritized once the vaccine is available. The general public can then start signing up to get vaccinated.

The vaccination programme will be rolled out in three phases:

Phase 1 (Feb 26 - April): Frontliners
Phase 2 (April - August): High-risk groups
Phase 3 (May - Feb 2022): Adults aged 18 and above

8. Are There Side Effects From Taking The Vaccine?

Side effects are common upon getting vaccinated (they are proof that your body is building immunity) and typically only last for a couple of days, or at most a few weeks. They also vary based on individuals and should not be of huge concern. Here are some common side effects reported from those who have already taken the vaccine:

Fatigue
Headache
Muscle aches
Chills
Redness, swelling, or pain around injection site

Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry Khairy Jamaluddin mentioned in a press conference in January that besides a sign-up feature, there will also be a feature on the MySejahtera app for those who have already taken the vaccine to report any side effects that they're facing. The app will play an important role in post-immunisation vaccine surveillance.

covid-19 vaccine side effects astrazeneca pfizer sinovac

COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects: What To Expect & How To Prepare For Your Appointment

Is this side effect common or should I be scared? Read our guide on COVID-19 vaccine side effects and how to prep yourself for your jab - whether it's Pfizer, Sinovac, or AstraZeneca.

9. Am I 100% Safe From COVID-19 Once I Get The Vaccine?

No, you are not. Individuals who have obtained the COVID-19 vaccine may still be susceptible to the virus. A vaccine with a 95% effectiveness rate essentially means that the shot may not be effective in protecting about 1 out of 20 people from getting ill. Besides, while the vaccine may prevent you from getting sick, it is possible that you can still carry and transmit the virus to people you come in contact with, especially if they have not yet been vaccinated.

With that being said, you should still continue to practice public health measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing while around other people until the COVID-19 virus is announced to be completely eradicated. #kitajagakita

10. If I Had COVID-19, Do I Still Need To Get The Vaccine?

Yes, even those who have recovered from the COVID-19 are recommended to still get vaccinated as it has been found that COVID-19 re-infection is possible even after you've recovered from it.

Also, although those who have recovered from COVID-19 should have obtained some sort of natural immunity against the virus, health experts are unsure how long the immunity will last. In fact, some early evidence suggest that natural immunity may not last very long, and you may be susceptible to the virus again once you lose it.