Covid-19: Those needing vaccine booster for umrah, travel can apply to Health Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Those needing a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in order to perform the umrah can make an application to the Health Ministry, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister also said this will be made available to those who need a booster dose to meet the requirements of other countries.

Khairy said this on Saturday (Oct 16) after officiating the 11th National Acute Myocardial Infarction Course being run in Bangsar by the Serdang Hospital.

He said the ministry will also consider the applications that include those who need a booster dose which is of a different brand from the first two jabs they received.

''The application can be done through the MySejahtera app. In this month, we may start with the booster for those who need it due to requirements to go to another country,'' he said.

Khairy said he was also working with these countries to ensure there is no discrimination on vaccines and treat all that have been listed for emergency use under the World Health Organisation as the same.

''For example, like in the United Kingdom, they allow Malaysians who are vaccinated with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to enter without quarantine," said Khairy.

''Many Muslim countries use Sinovac, like Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey. So the Saudi Arabian government should understand this. But in any case, we will give the booster dose. But the easier and better solution is that no discrimination as far as the vaccine is concerned,'' he added.

Prior to this, it was reported that the Saudi Arabian government would only accept pilgrims who received either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines for the pilgrimage.