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KUALA LUMPUR – A senior citizen who alleged adverse effects after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine has been diagnosed with shingles, said the Perak Health Department.
Department director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said in a statement that the diagnosis was made by the state dermatological specialist clinic after conducting a Tzanck smear test with samples from the patient.
“The individual was later confirmed as suffering from Herpes Zoster, or shingles. Painkillers and antiviral medicine were prescribed to the patient,” she said.
Ding said the patient’s condition is stable and that he has been issued a follow-up appointment on May 19.
Shingles is triggered by the varicella-zoster virus, the same pathogen that causes varicella, otherwise known as chickenpox.
On the chronology of events, Ding said investigations were carried out following a report received on Monday of the alleged adverse vaccine effects after the man got his vaccine at the Kuala Kangsar health clinic.
She added that records showed the individual had come alone to the Padang Rengas health clinic on April 6 alone to receive treatment for the chronic disease dyslipidemia, when doctors realised the patient was yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
“Considering how the patient has logistical problems making repeated trips to the clinic for a second dose, health officers in a counselling session advised the patient to get the single-dose CanSino vaccine.
“The patient agreed to receive the injection and later signed a Covid-19 vaccination consent form and was given the jab the same day.”
Two days later, Ding said the senior citizen arrived at the Padang Rengas clinic again, this time with a relative and complained of rashes on his neck, chest, and shoulders.
Following the examination, the patient was later referred to the dermatology specialist clinic in Taiping Hospital on Monday where the diagnosis of shingles was made.
This comes after a now-private tweet by the patient’s granddaughter who initially alleged her grandfather was vaccinated without his consent.
The tweet had also alleged the man had begun to develop rashes on his body as an effect from the vaccine. – The Vibes, April 14, 2022