‘We need to clear the 50% vaccination bar due to variants’

Urgency to vaccinate: The hawkers in business at Cecil Street market, Penang. Dr Azmi says everyone wants their states to qualify for the next phase of the NRP and loosen movement restrictions. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: With Covid-19 variants now loose in the community, health experts say the immunisation rate has to exceed 50% for the country to see a reduction in cases and hospitalisation, even if six states are in Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia health economics, hospital and health management Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said in countries that had vaccinated at least 50% of their population, there was a higher chance to reduce virus transmission, hospital admissions and deaths.