JOHOR BAHRU: As the world scrambles to inoculate people against Covid, one shop owner in Malaysia is finding his paper vaccines have become popular prayer-offering items during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
This year, a box set of a syringe and two vaccine vials made of paper are among the fastest-selling items for Raymond Shieh’s religious goods store in Johor.
“The Covid situation in our country is serious and many people passed away before receiving the vaccine. I hope this product can help the deceased to fulfil their dying wish,” Shieh tells Reuters.
He started making the paper vaccine sets early this month, producing about 30 to 50 sets a day.
Each costs RM22.80 and Shieh has sold more than 200 sets so far.
“We made this paper vaccine to test the market. The orders keep coming, and we have to work overtime until late at night to make this product,” he says.
“We didn’t expect the reaction to be this good.”