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The Melaka Health Department has confirmed that a 12-year-old who fainted after being vaccinated for COVID-19 was only nervous
The department’s deputy director in public health, Dr Rusdi Abd Rahman, released a statement yesterday, 30 September, assuring that the primary school student is currently well.
“During the vaccination process, the teenager appeared nervous but did not experience any side effects after vaccination or during the observation period,” he said.
Earlier that day, a 36-second video went viral on social media showing a black-shirted teenager suddenly falling limp and unconscious, and had to be supported by those around him to stand up.
Image via Harian Metro
Rusdi said the teenager in the video was at the Encore Vaccination Centre (PPV) in Klebang with his family members
According to the department deputy director, the student fainted at the parking lot just as he was leaving the PPV, after getting jabbed and passing the 30-minute observation.
He was immediately brought back in for medical attention.
“A check by the medical officer on duty found that the teenager was stable and his vital signs — including his blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels — were normal,” said Rusdi.
After being observed for 30 minutes by the medical team, he said the teenager was found to be stable and allowed to go home.
“A follow-up phone call to his family after that also found that the teenager is well and active as normal,” he added.
Image via Jessica Hill/AP via CNN
After further investigations, Rusdi confirmed that the incident occurred because the teenager was nervous, lacking sleep, and skipped breakfast before the vaccination
“The teenager slept late [the night before] at 2am. He also did not have an appetite and ate only a spoonful of nasi lemak that morning,” he said.
He added that the teenager has no health problems, has never been hospitalised, and never had a history of allergies.
The deputy director assured that they will continute monitoring the student and also encouraged parents to ensure their children get enough rest and food before and after getting the jab.
The advice has also been repeated by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Twitter.
Please make sure you eat before going to the PPV and get enough rest after vaccination. Avoid strenuous activities for a week. pic.twitter.com/xMWnjrdT5k
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) September 30, 2021