GROUNDLESS claims and unproven theories on the ineffectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines found in abundance on the internet have caused the elderly to decline their shots.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insight, most of the seniors interviewed said they feared developing health complications after vaccination.

Some saw the vaccination as a Western conspiracy to weaken their faith. They point to a slew of economic activities which they felt should not be allowed to operate, such as shopping malls, even though the government had iterated that only the supermarket and eateries within the complexes were allowed to open.

When asked they, however, admitted that they had been relying on news from unproven sources in their decision not to sign up for the vaccination programme run by the government.

“I heard many bad reviews about the vaccine from WhatsApp messages that were shared by many people. Some were in the form of audio recordings and some were written.”

“I am afraid if I get the vaccine my health will deteriorate,” said 70-year-old Salmah from Klang.

Salmah has high blood pressure and is on medication.

She added that the messages she received were shared via Whatsapp from a mosque congregation group.

“A few of my friends who are also in the group are contemplating whether or not to get the vaccine. They too have health issues,” she said.

Since the start of the Covid-19 immunisation programme in February till March, the health ministry had received 25,770 reports of side effects from those who had received the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said among the mild side effects experienced by most were pain at the injection site, joint pain, fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting and nausea.

Fake news

Recently, a tuition teacher is believed to be the first person to be charged under the Emergency Ordinance on the publication of fake news.

Mohd Nazaruddin Yusoff, 50, was charged at the session’s court in Pontian, Johor with posting false news on Facebook.

According to the charge, Nazaruddin had said that a traffic policeman died after receiving his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. His posting on Facebook said: “Mati lagi … di Pontian, Vaksin kedua.”

The posting was accompanied with a photo of three police personnel attending to the another policeman. A policewoman was also standing beside them.

On May 30, nearly 10,000 residents in Kuantan, Pahang did not show up for their Covid-19 vaccination appointments after being persuaded by fake news related to the vaccine.

Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said this following a briefing from the relevant parties on the issue of no-shows at vaccination centres (PPVs) in the state.

Another couple told The Malaysian Insight that they were just afraid of getting vaccinated.

They said their children were coaxing them to get their jabs but they were still mulling it.

“We will wait and see. If there are no issues, we will take it but if there are issues surrounding the vaccine we will not. We are afraid after reading and hearing all sorts of stories.”

“Both of us are healthy. We do not want to put ourselves at risk. Furthermore, I am staying indoors. Only my husband has to work. We do not go anywhere if there is no need to. I think we will be fine without the vaccine,” said the 57-year-old who identified herself as Penny.

Conspiracy theories

A man who wished to be known as Sulaiman believes that there is an agenda by the West in wanting to weaken Muslims.

While admitting that he had no solid proof to back his claim, Sulaiman said it was evident that the “Jews” are trying to take over the world.

“We are used to believing what the West says. Why are shopping malls allowed to open during the CMCO but there was a limit as to how many people can enter the mosque?”

“Isn’t it obvious, the non-believers are trying to weaken us. They want us to stray from the right path,” he said.

Sulaiman’s view was shared by several elderly men when met at a village in Kapar, Klang.

They maintained that many religious activities were forced to stop during the pandemic, but not other activities, including those in the economic sector.

They stuck to their views despite being told that all shopping malls are closed other than the supermarket section and food outlets under the total lockdown.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, when announcing the full lockdown two weeks ago, said, “Only supermarket and departmental stores that have food sections, and stores that sell basic necessities, pharmacies, mini marts and restaurants that serve takeaways will be allowed to open in the shopping malls.”

It was reported in April that only 1.44 million people aged 60 and above, out of the targeted 3.8 million, had registered for the Covid-19 vaccination, according to data from the health ministry.

In May, a total of 1.24 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was offered to those aged 60 and above in the second round of opt-in vaccination.

However, the take-up rate was poor and slots were subsequently opened up to people aged 18 and above.

The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) in a statement said the AstraZeneca vaccine jabs will be administered between June 7 and July 27 for the first dose at eight AstraZeneca Vaccine Administration Centres (PPVAZ). – June 13, 2021.