Covid-19: Enough vaccines, govt might issue 'instructions' on booster shots, says Dr Dzul

PUTRAJAYA: There are enough Covid-19 vaccine supplies in the Health Ministry’s inventory, said Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, adding that the ministry might release “instructions” on booster doses for high risk groups in the near future.

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“The vaccination rate for the booster dose is about 50% although the (take up) rate for the second booster is quite low,” the Health Minister told reporters at the sidelines of the ministry’s monthly assembly here on Thursday (Dec 14).

“The ministry might release instructions on boosters in the near future especially for senior citizens and those with comorbidities,” he added.

Dr Dzulkefly said he had told the Cabinet about the current Covid-19 situation in the country, adding that the surge in cases is due to a high level of people being mobile during the year-end holiday season.

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“We should wear a face mask when in crowded places and if experiencing symptoms. We should keep others as well as ourselves safe.

“For those who test positive for Covid-19, we still have the five-day quarantine (in effect),” he added.

He reminded the public to observe the basic standard operating procedure (SOP), especially during the year-end holidays and festive season and added that most of the cases reported are mild.

On whether the ministry will tighten screening at international gateways due to the rising number of cases, he said the ministry has action plans with clear criteria in place and added that the appropriate intervention will be taken if the need arises.

The number of Covid-19 cases jumped from 6,796 cases two weeks ago to 12,757 last week, according to Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.