Covid Vaccination Complication - Not Covered Under Insurance

Malaysian insurers have yet to decide whether to extend medical coverage to treatment of complications arising from Covid-19 vaccinations. General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) notes that most medical and health insurance policies do not cover pandemics like Covid-19. PIAM is awaiting more data and information before an update or general comments can be made.

PIAM, which has 26 member companies, said such decisions could be made only by individual companies and would be based on consumer demand, business strategies, risk exposure profiles and underwriting considerations, all of which would be unique to each company.

Media reports this week said Singapore’s seven major insurance companies had extended their medical coverage to include the cost of hospital stays to treat complications arising from Covid-19 vaccinations.

Among the common side effects of Covid-19 vaccines are pain, redness and swelling at the injection site and fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pains, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes.

Malaysia will receive its first batch of vaccines from Pfizer next month. More than 80% of the country’s population are expected to be vaccinated by the first quarter of next year.