FAQs About The AstraZeneca Vaccine: Is It Really Safe?

Eunis Ong

Last updated 29 Jun 2021

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Answering Your Burning Questions About The AstraZeneca Vaccine

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been making headlines for months across the globe. Due to the public's mixed feelings about its safety, the local board decided to pull it out of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, offering it only to Malaysians on a voluntary basis. Basically, you'll have to willingly sign up to receive it specifically.

However, despite the amount of public concern and skepticism observed, all 260,000 vaccination slots were snapped up in just three hours when the first batch of vaccines was opened up for registrations, with many Malaysians scrambling to try to get one of the few precious slots available.

It was announced that more doses of the vaccine are set to arrive on the shores of Malaysia in the next few months, so if you've been wondering whether to sign up for it, we think it's important to start with some basic education on what you're signing up for!

[Update] It was announced that the second round of registration for the AstraZeneca vaccine will open on May 23 with priority given to senior citizens above the age of 60 in Klang Valley, Johor, Penang, and Sarawak (red zone states). Doses that are not taken up by senior citizens by May 26 will be opened up to those below 60.

Disclaimer: we are in no way experts in this field and are only providing basic information on the vaccine based on published research findings.

An Introduction To The Vaccine

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (codename AZD1222) was developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish company. The AstraZeneca vaccine is administered in 2 doses with an interval of 8 - 12 weeks and is reported to have an efficacy of 76.0% at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 following the first dose, and 81.3% after the second dose. The first vaccination conducted outside of a trial was administered on 4 January 2021, and it has since been distributed for use across the globe.

How Does The AstraZeneca Vaccine Work?

The AstraZeneca vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus that has been modified to contain genetic material shared by the coronavirus. Once it has been injected, it teaches the recipient's immune system how to fight the real virus by producing antibodies and activating T-cells. If the individual who has been vaccinated is exposed to COVID-19 in the future, antibodies and T-cells will be triggered to fight the virus effectively.

More FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine in general:

A Guide To The COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout In Malaysia

The COVID-19 vaccine: what is it, when will it be available in Malaysia, and how much does it cost? Get all your questions answered with our complete guide.

The Big Question: Is The AstraZeneca Vaccine Safe?

The AstraZeneca vaccine made headlines after health regulators discovered a link between the vaccine and very rare but potentially life-threatening blood clots known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). However, health regulators have emphasized that TTS is a possible yet extremely rare side effect, reported only in approximately 9.3 cases per million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Experts have repeatedly stressed that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and that it's a good option for Malaysians who wish to get vaccinated faster instead of waiting in line for their turn to be assigned a slot. That being said, some countries that initially started administrating the vaccine have chosen to delay or suspend using it as research on its risks and safety continues to be carried out.

What Are The Side Effects Of The AstraZeneca Vaccine?

Side effects are common upon getting vaccinated and are not unique to the AstraZeneca vaccine. In fact, these side effects are proof that your body is building immunity and typically only last for a couple of days. It is important to note that 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
Tenderness in the injection site
Joint pain
Fever
Vomiting or diarrhea
Flu-like symptoms
Decreased appetite
Rashes

Individuals are advised to seek medical attention if they experience uncomfortable symptoms within a month since your vaccine dose such as:

Severe & persistent headaches
Headaches that seem worse when lying down or bending over
Blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting
Weakness, drowsiness, or seizures
Shortness of breath or chest pains
Swelling of legs or persistent abdominal pain
Difficulty with your speech
Pinpoint spots on skin or skin bruising

The MySejahtera app has a feature to submit reports if you suspect that you're suffering from vaccine side effects.

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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.

What Are The Benefits Of The Vaccine?

Approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
High efficacy in clinical trials conducted in the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States (though lower efficacy compared to other vaccines available).
Typically mild or moderate side effects.
Easy storage.
A good option for Malaysians who wish to be vaccinated faster as opposed to waiting to be assigned their turn (which can end up being in late 2021 or even 2022).

Who Should Be Careful About Getting The Vaccine?

Individuals with the following tendencies are advised to obtain a pre-vaccination assessment prior to getting any of the COVID-19 vaccines:

Individuals with weakened immune system
Individuals with severe allergic reactions
Individuals with bleeding disorders

Doctors and medical specialists will be able to advise whether you're safe to get a vaccine, which type of vaccine is more suitable for you, and when is a good time to get vaccinated.

Note: For the AstraZeneca vaccine specifically, some countries have limited its usage to senior citizens following findings that the rare blood clotting disorder is reported more in younger adults.

Will There Be More Doses Of The Vaccine In Malaysia?

Registration for the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines was opened up to Malaysians on May 2, and all 260,000 vaccination slots were snapped up in just three hours.

Coordinating Minister for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin announced later that the government is expecting at least 1.1 million more doses to arrive in Malaysia this month, followed by 600,000 more doses in June, and about 400,000 more in July.

How Do I Sign Up For The AstraZeneca Vaccine?

The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently available as an opt-in voluntary programme and can be signed up on the Jawatankuasa Khas Jaminan Akses Bekalan Vaksin COVID-19 (JKJAV) website once registration opens. Besides allowing Malaysians to sign up online like for the first batch, the government is also working on reaching out to community clinics and more ways to reach out to those who lack access to the Internet so the vaccine is more fairly available to everyone.

To sign up for the vaccine once the new batch is available:

Visit the JKJAV website once registration opens.
Choose your preferred date and centre to get your vaccination.
You'll receive a notification and confirmation with your time slot via the MySejahtera app or an SMS.

Where And When Will Vaccinations Take Places?

The first appointments for the AstraZeneca vaccinations have been scheduled as early as May 5 this week. Those who signed up for the vaccines were able to choose their preferred vaccination centre from designated vaccine administration centres (PPV) in Klang Valley:

Universiti Malaya (UM)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur
Ideal Convention Centre Shah Alam (IDCC)

What Should I Do If I'm Not Comfortable With Getting The Vaccine?

That's totally fine - in fact, you are encouraged to only sign up if you're 100% confident and comfortable with getting the vaccine. For those who wish to get vaccinated but are not really comfortable with this particular vaccine, make sure you at least register for the vaccination program in Malaysia and you'll be informed once it's your turn to receive any of the other COVID-19 vaccines under the National Immunisation Programme.

Everyone's choice is different, and as we recommend everyone to make yours based on careful consideration upon weighing the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine. You can also do extra reading on other vaccines that will be available to Malaysians such as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Sinovac and so on.

In the meantime, stay safe and adhere to the SOPs so we can win the battle, everyone!