Amid conspiracy theories, MoH explains different needles for PM’s Covid-19 vaccination

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin receives the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from Chief Nurse Lina Ibrahim at the Putrajaya District Health Office Precinct 11 February 24, 2021. — Bernama pic
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin receives the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from Chief Nurse Lina Ibrahim at the Putrajaya District Health Office Precinct 11 February 24, 2021. — Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — Different needles are used to draw and inject Covid-19 vaccines, the Health Ministry (MoH) said today after conspiracy theories emerged over the two used for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s vaccination.

The ministry explained that a large bore needle is used to draw the vaccine from the vials, which hold several doses, but the same needle would cause unnecessary pain if used on the patient.

A second, smaller needle is instead used to administer the vaccine to minimise discomfort, as was seen in the case of Muhyiddin’s public vaccination yesterday.

“The different colour needle means different bore size. The needle used to aspirate from the vial is bigger in size (blue) to ensure smooth extraction. Smaller bore size needles (red or orange) are for inoculation to ensure less pain and bruising,” the MoH explained.

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