KOTA KINABALU, May 6 (Sin Chew Daily) — A 101-year-old woman takes the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.

Zhong Gui Zhen encourages other senior citizens to do the same to protect themselves and their families.

Zhong is encouraged by her children to take the vaccine.

Her daughter-in-law Zhang Yu Fen told Sin Chew Daily Zhong is an open-minded and positive person.

She is not fearful of the side effects after the injection.

"I asked her what if there were side effects after taking the injection that she might leave us, would she still want to take the injection?"

Zhong replied that the government wanted people to get vaccinated.

"We have to help ourselves and others too. Everyone will have to die sooner or later."

She also said she was not fearful of death as God is with her.

Zhong, who is wheelchair-bound, is currently undergoing rehabilitation treatment in order to walk again after an operation.

Zhang said her mother-in-law watches TV news every day and knows what's happening in Malaysia, Taiwan and China.

Before taking the injection, Zhong asked the nurse about the vaccine.

The nurse told her the vaccine was manufactured by Pfizer. 

Zhang said she was shocked by her mother-in-law’s question.

Doctor told them Zhong would be under medical observation for several days after taking the injection as she complained about slight pain on her arm. 

Zhong would be taking the second injection on May 24.