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KUALA LUMPUR, January 5: “If the virus COVID-19 mutates, God willing, the vaccine designed by scientists will continue to be effective,” says an expert on whether it is necessary to create a new vaccine if the virus mutates.
KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital consultant pediatrician, Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin, said this is because the human body itself is “smart” as it not only releases antibodies to kill a virus, but also produces antibodies that they have immune memory.
He said that even if a person’s antibody level drops, the human body has memory cells that can produce new antibodies when attacked by a virus.
“Despite the decrease (in antibodies), so far there are only about 30 cases of reinfections. Imagine, of the more than 80 million cases of COVID-19, those affected by COVID-19 for the second time are only about 30, “he said during the ‘Wacana Sinar Harian’ program here tonight.
Also present at the program were the rector of the International Islamic University (IIUM), emeritus professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, Perlis Mufti Datuk.
On the safety of vaccines, Dr. Musa said that experts considered that a period of two months was sufficient to identify more than 90 percent of the main side effects.
He said that so far, 90 percent of the identified side effects were minor, such as pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, which generally heals within two days.
For systemic effects like dizziness, weakness, fatigue and fever, it is about 50 percent, especially for those who were under the age of 55 and who received a second dose of the injection.
“This is a small side effect after vaccination, there are no warnings of greater danger. I hope Malaysians keep an open mind and are not swayed by social media that is not based on evidence, argument and fact. You have to check the facts, “he added.
Meanwhile, Dzulkifli also addressed the issue of discrimination in terms of availability, accessibility, and affordability in health-related matters, especially regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
He said, for example, that although the vaccine was available, rural communities may not have access to it.
“So this is a question we need to focus on, because we find that discrimination in society is still rampant, especially in terms of health, will the information reach (the) coasts or upstream?
“If you look at it in the global context, the rich countries will get this (vaccine) first, it’s like other people are not important in this context.
This is one of the aspects we must think about when we want to give (the vaccine) to all people, ”he said. – Bernama
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