Just In Case Covid-19 Vaccines Gives You Side-Effects, Govt Will Give You RM500,000 Max
Three special committees have been set up to monitor the vaccine side effects and compensation.
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If you’re concerned about possible long-term disability or death caused by the Covid-19 vaccine, fret not as the government has officially announced the Special Financial Aid for Severe Adverse Covid-19 Effects which promises compensation up to RM500,000 to those who develop side effects.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba explained that the government has approved a starting fund of RM10 million for this programme.
Covid-19 vaccine side effects: What is covered & how much will be compensated
For now, there are two approved compensation schemes for any individual who develops adverse side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine, which are:
- RM50,000 – serious side effects that require prolonged hospital treatment
- RM500,000 – permanent disability or death due to the Covid-19 vaccine
How the Covid-19 vaccine compensation will be given
To facilitate this compensation scheme, the Health Ministry (KKM) has set up three committees to monitor Covid-19 vaccine side effects.
- Special Pharmacovigilance Committee for Covid-19 Vaccine Monitoring – to monitor and evaluate adverse event following immunization (AEFI) and safety issues related to the Covid-19 vaccine.
- Medical Technical Committee – to determine whether the case of application for special financial assistance has a causal relationship with Covid-19 vaccine. Evaluation will be made on a case to case basis based on the evidence received and the report of the Special Pharmacovigilance Committee for Covid-19 Vaccine Monitoring.
- Covid-19 Vaccine Harmful Effects Special Financial Assistance Steering Committee – to approve special financial assistance based on the decision of the first two committees.
The financial assistance will only be given after all three committees have evaluated the case, and payment will be made by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
Covid-19 vaccines approved by Malaysia
Three vaccines were granted conditional registration for use during disasters – requiring pharmaceutical companies to submit additional data to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines.
The conditionally approved vaccines are:
- Pfizer-BioNTech – Comirnaty
- AstraZeneca
- Sinovac – CoronaVac
Both Pfizer-BioNTech – Comirnaty and Sonivac – CoronaVac vaccine administration have already begun in March 2021 for the first phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Program.
READ MORE: More Covid-19 Vaccines Approved For Malaysians, Here’s A Quick Summary Of What We’re Getting
Will there be any side effects from taking the vaccine?
(Credit: University of Maryland School of Medicine)
The NIC guidebook explains that mild and temporary side effects are to be expected from the inoculation which include:
- Pain, redness and swelling around the injection area
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Shivers
- Joint pains
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Other undetermined symptoms
The government would also be conducting enhanced surveillance through the MySejahtera app of any adverse event following immunization (AEFI) in the case of other negative symptoms and side effects after taking the vaccine and keep the public informed.
Medical experts would also be able to report any adverse effects that they come across to be evaluated through the system.
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