Senior citizens affected by booster jabs need financial assistance from gov’t
THE Malaysian government needs to be made aware that there is a small number of senior citizens who have been badly affected after taking the booster jab towards end-2021 and early-2022.
Many of these seniors who were physically managing on their own despite their advanced age are now being rendered more helpless due to their slow movement and other frailties induced by the booster jabs.
Since it is a very small number not much attention has been given to this problem which has been brushed aside as being part of old age.
The undeniable fact is that these affected seniors were physically alright before the vaccination. In fact, nothing happened to them after the first two vaccinations but it was only the booster jabs that have literally floored them.
Many are facing difficulties coping alone unaided and it will become worse in the future. They know that this physical disability unfolded after the government encouraged the seniors to go for the booster shots to defend themselves against the resurgence of the COVID-19 virus.
Out of fear and thinking that the third shot will be without any side-effects like the previous two, these people volunteered. However, those who have been affected physically now regret going for the booster shot.
The booster shot lost its importance and relevance when many began to avoid it as they found that it was an unnecessary risk as the pandemic had already begun to subside by then.
The seniors were affected as time went by and not within the three months as stipulated for claiming compensation/ financial l assistance.
Victim of circumstances
The booster shot has slowed them down even although it became obvious only later that it was possibly due to the booster. How can a senior’s movement and other gestures slow down within months after the booster jabs if not for its negative side effects?
The booster jab is to blame and not other medical conditions, medications or diseases of the body. The seniors cannot prove that it is because of the booster vaccination and therefore unable to proceed with a claim or seek help.
However, they should not be left without any help, hence the government has to step in to ease their physical disability through some financial assistance.
Over time, it could become even more debilitating and lead to strokes and kidney problems that need dialysis.
While one can take treatment for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases affecting the aged, no treatment may be possible for the gradual progression of slowness of movement and reaction induced by the booster shot.
There is a compensation scheme set up by the government under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for those who died due to COVID-19 and those who were hospitalised. The next of kin of the COVID-19 deceased receive a one-off payment of RM5,000.
Side effect acknowledgment
Governments the world over, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are aware of the long-term health problems created by COVID-19 or known generally as the long COVID.
However, the side effects of the booster jabs on senior citizens is not so well known or possibly ignored as a geriatric or comorbid condition. Many of the vaccine manufacturers have already accepted evidence that there are some side effects on some vulnerable people.
Only in the future will the full ramifications be known. One cannot fully blame the vaccine manufacturers as they had to come up with a vaccine within a short period of time to stop the COVID-19 pandemic which threatened to wipe out the human species.
The vaccine manufacturers and the government need to look at this problem caused to senior citizens and help them. By getting to know the problem in detail, both the government and the vaccine manufacturers will be better prepared next time.
However, there is an urgent need for a solution and financial assistance right now for those affected.
Can the Malaysian government and the Health Ministry (MOH) help these senior citizens whose health has been adversely affected by the booster vaccination but are unable to pinpoint the source of the problem with good evidence from a legal point of view? – FocusM, April 26, 2023
V. Thomas is a reader of Focus Malaysia.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Pics credit: Bernama
