An interview with Malaysia’s first COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteer

SUNGAI PETANI – Kedahan hairstylist Tan Beng Keat, 34, is the second Malaysian from the first batch of volunteers to receive the first jab for the Covid-19 vaccine phase three clinical trials at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) yesterday (Jan 30). This trial uses the COVID-19 vaccine made by China’s Institute of Medical Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (IMBCAMS).

In an exclusive interview with WeirdKaya, Tan Beng Keat shares his experience of being vaccinated.

1. What made you decide to become a volunteer for this trial?

Tan: Last December, my customer, who is a doctor, shared about the trial with me, but I didn’t give much thought to it. After that, I received his message on the trial’s information and coincidentally, a post about the vaccine trial details popped up on my Facebook page. Without further ado, I went ahead and filled in the Google form.

“The spike in cases around the end of 2020 has made me more aware of the risks lurking around me,” he added.

2. Could you give us an overview on the vaccine you took?

Tan: This trial can’t guarantee that you’re getting the real thing. There’s a 50-50 chance that you’ll either receive either the vaccine or a placebo substance. The purpose behind this is to assess the real vaccine’s efficacy against the virus.

On a side note, Tan said he hopes the injection he got was the real vaccine.

He continues:

Tan: There will be two injections in total for this trial. All the volunteers are required to visit the hospitals for follow-up sessions up to 6 times. Doctors will also monitor our condition via phone calls. We are also required to record our condition on a form provided to us every day. An allowance will also be given every time I visit the hospital.

3. When will they know the result of the trial?

Tan: Based on what my doctor told me, it’s probably after a year. But, everything is still uncertain.

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4. Do you find the application process troublesome?

Tan: Not really, it’s actually quite easy. All I need to do is to fill in the online form and go through some usual body checkup to make sure I’m healthy and suitable for the trial. The only boring part was when my doctor was explaining the trial’s details to me. (laughs)

5. Do you feel any discomfort after the injection?

Tan: None for now. But some volunteers claimed they experienced a mild increase in body heat. I thought I felt the same too but turns out it was just all in my head.

6. Do you have any friends who went for this trial too?

Tan: I’ve invited some, but none have responded so far. But I met one of my friends Adam, at the hospital this morning. He is the first person in Malaysia to get the jab.

7. Will you encourage more friends to be vaccinated even though there’s plenty of doubt about this trial?

Tan: Actually, I invited all of my friends when I was planning to apply for it. Sadly, they rejected me without a second thought. While I can understand their doubts about this trial, but I personally believe the Ministry of Health and all the medical researchers have done thorough research on the vaccine before allowing Malaysians to apply for the trial. I think it depends on how you see it; everyone has their own choice.

8. How has the pandemic affected your business?

Tan: As a hairstylist, I abide to the strict social distancing measures within the premises. I will not allow other customers to come in when I’m attending to one. Instead, I will ask them to wait inside their car. During the MCO period, all barbershops were not allowed to operate, forcing hairstylists to tighten their belts as no income was coming in. Since my shop is somewhat a small-scale business in the neighbourhood, the rent is not as high compared to those located in shopping malls. I can still survive with my savings.

Thank you Tan for sharing!

Did you enjoy this interview? Comment and tell us what you think!

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Sources: Tan Beng Keat

Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
Interviewers: Rydah Tan & Esther Lee