Malaysians in Saudi and Qatar share experience getting Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

By Tengku Faezah Tengku Yusof

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 2 -- Recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine in Riyadh, including Malaysians who work or live there, receive free consultation and must answer certain questions especially the ones related to the history of the diseases one experienced prior to receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Siti Habshah Abd Talib, 59, who is currently working as a nurse at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, explained that it is important for vaccine recipients to share their medical history for the purpose of medical record keeping.

"If the recipient has severe complications such as shortness of breath etc. after taking the vaccine, they are advised to immediately go to the hospital," she told Bernama via the WhatsApp message app recently when asked about her experience as a COVID-19 vaccine recipient.

She said that no prohibition was imposed on them before or after taking the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is free for Saudi Arabian nationals as well as foreigners who work or study there.

"I received the first dose of the vaccine on January 5 and I did not experience any symptoms. (My condition) was normal, and I can go to work as usual,” said Siti, who was at first hesitant to get the jab as there might be complications due to her age.

"I took the second dose on January 19; but the next day I had a fever, my body felt hot for a day, but gradually recovered as usual the next day and was able to go to Mecca to perform umrah," she said, and emphasised that the elderly should take the vaccine as a preventive measure due to their age factor.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian who currently works as an engineer in Qatar, Yusri Manap, 55 said he doubted the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, but regained confidence after a consultation with a doctor.

"After the injection, I just felt a little tired on the first night. I slept early, and feel a little sore at the place injected until the second day,” he added.

He also received a free injection of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, where the first dose was received at Mesaieed Medical Centre, Qatar, on January 20. The second dose is scheduled for February 10.

Malaysia is expected to receive the first phase supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Feb 26.

-- BERNAMA