Nearly 1,000 senior citizens who received the vaccine at the Dewan 2020 vaccination centre (PPV) yesterday expressed gratitude for not being easily swayed by the fake news that had been shared on social media claiming that the second dose caused complications.

A statement from the communications and multimedia ministry’s quick response team had described the claims as untrue and advised the public not to spread information that could cause confusion and anxiety in the community.

Vaccine recipient Shukor Shamsuddin, 74, from Taman Guru Jaya, here, hoped people would not be affected by negative claims, stressing that the vaccine was safe.

“I wonder why there are still those, especially educated people, who are still afraid to get vaccinated. In fact, there are still many who have yet to register (for vaccination),” he said.

Shukor, a former director of the Perlis social welfare department, said he did not feel sick during or after receiving either dose of the vaccine.

Another recipient, former Perlis footballer Salim Muhamad, 72, appealed to those still having any doubt to immediately register for the vaccination.

He said it would not only save themselves but also help to form herd immunity.

“Those who are afraid of getting vaccinated are lying to themselves. We all know that we need to put some effort when facing a disaster or disease,” he said.

Former lorry driver Suban @ Ani Hassan, 73, from Nesam, Bintong, near here, said he wondered why many urban residents and educated people are afraid to get vaccinated, while he and many friends who were lorry drivers and farmers have been responding positively to the government’s call.

“If we don’t get the vaccine then we will be more susceptible to Covid-19. If we contract the virus, it will not only threaten our own lives but also the lives of our family members, neighbours and the general public,” he said.