Shaharudin Ali had felt like fainting after his jab but recovered within the hour and is fine now.

He said the public should still get vaccinated despite potential side effects, adding that the benefits will always outweigh any complications experienced.

In recounting his experience, Shaharudin said he “felt sick” six minutes after getting the jab and he became worried.

“I felt like fainting and reported myself to the doctor.

“I was then ushered into another room, where I was placed under observation. I remember being asked questions by medical officers but I couldn’t respond well,” he told FMT, adding his blood pressure rose and his heart rate jumped “to 105”.

The medical officers calmed him down and 45 minutes later, he felt better.

All vaccinations in Malaysia include a half-hour observation process and any such side effect is attended to.

Shaharudin went on to suggest that people should go to vaccination centres “with someone”.

“This is because you wouldn’t know how your body would react (to the vaccine),” he said, adding that he was not sure what caused him to feel faint.

“Still, the odds are better if you get yourself vaccinated.”

He also said those going for their vaccination should make the effort to know their fitness levels and health.

In April, the health ministry said it received over 25,000 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 that among the mild side effects experienced were pain at the injection site, joint pain, fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting and nausea.

More severe side effects include swelling in body parts such as the face, shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest, but these have been rare.