Optional jab: Those aged 60 years and above may opt for a second booster based on medical advice.
KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals aged 50 to 59 years old who are without any comorbidities are now allowed to take their second Covid-19 booster shot, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“The sixth group, that’s the 50-59-year-old group without any chronic diseases, and those 50 years old and below, can receive the second vaccine booster shot,” said Khairy when answering a supplementary question from Datuk Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan) in Parliament during oral question time yesterday.
Khairy said this is part of recommendations by the Health Ministry’s technical working committee.
He also said those aged 60 and above, with or without comorbidities, may opt for a second booster upon medical advice.
Previously, the second booster shot was only allowed to those who are aged 60 and above with comorbidities and are travelling overseas.
Khairy said the second booster shot is also extended to those living at long-term healthcare facilities, high-risk individuals aged 18 to 59 years old, and also Covid-19 frontliners.Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is currently considering the usage of new second generation vaccines if it manages to be approved by regulatory bodies.
“If this vaccine is useful and safe to be developed for variants such as Omicron, may be the acquisition can be considered in the future.
“For now, we have expanded the usage of Paxlovid to districts and also states,” said Khairy.
As of July 18, 225,848 individuals have received their second booster shot, while 16,165,730 individuals have received the first booster shot.
The number of individuals eligible for the second booster stood at 2,519,761 individuals who are aged 60 and below and have completed their first booster shot four months ago or longer.
“The number of individuals who haven’t received their second booster shot stands at 2,291,913 individuals, or 91% of those who are eligible.
“Individuals eligible to receive the first booster shot according to Health Ministry criteria are 23,008,641 who have received full vaccination for more than three months,” Khairy said, adding that those who have not received their first booster shot stood at 6,842,911 individuals, or 29.7% of those who are eligible.
