Prepared by: Secretariat of Corporate Communication & Integrity (CommRate), College Representative Council (MPK), Ten Colleges, Session 2020/2021, UPM.

Prepared on: 27 February 2021

Earlier last year, the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced a movement control order to curb the Covid-19 epidemic, this method is effective but the case soaring again as early as September 2020. Until now, the number of cases keeps rising up, and Malaysia keep-on trying to break the Covid-19 chain. This pandemic totally affect our lifestyle. Malaysia just got the first batch of vaccine Covid-19 Pfizer-BioNTech on 21st February 2021. Many people out there are wary of taking this vaccine because they have no idea about how the vaccines were produced, how’re the vaccines work and what the side effect of vaccines.

How were the vaccines produced?

Vaccines contain tiny fragments of the disease-causing organism or the blueprints for making the tiny fragments. They also contain other ingredients to keep the vaccine safe and effective. These latter ingredients are included in most vaccines and have been used for decades in billions of doses of vaccine. Each vaccine component serves a specific purpose, and each ingredient is tested in the manufacturing process. All ingredients are tested for safety.

How do the vaccines work?

Vaccines create immunity in the body. When a virus infects the body, the immune system responds to this antigen with antibodies designed to fight it. The first time the body is infected with a specific antigen, the immune system must create those antibodies, which is why you get sick. But if that antigen infects you again, the immune system can recognize it, already has those antibodies, and can fight it off before you get sick. Vaccines help this process by containing parts of the antigens that are weak enough to not infect you but are still strong enough to elicit an immune response – giving the body protection if ever exposed to this disease again in the future.

What are the side effects of vaccines?

Vaccines can cause minor side effects. These are usually very mild, like a sore arm at the site of the shot or a low-grade fever, and only last a few days. Like any medication or medical treatment, vaccines are clinically tested for safety and continuously monitored to ensure no adverse side effects are experienced. Also like any medication, some individuals may have a more serious reaction and need medical attention. But this is very rare. The protective benefits vaccines provide greatly outweigh the risks of side effects.

In conclusion, vaccines are one of the mediums to increase the immune system's response. Let us register as recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine to curb this epidemic.

Date of Input: 22/03/2021 | Updated: 22/03/2021 | rahiza