15 APRIL 2022 – As announced by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, the Minister of Health Malaysia on 14 April 2022, those above 60 years old with high comorbidities (Appendix 1) who are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection can now obtain a second dose of the COVID-19 booster after four (4) to six (6) months obtaining the first booster dose.
Also, following the announcement, adolescents aged 12 years old with moderate or severe immunocompromised (Appendix 2) may get their booster dose at least 28 days after completing their second vaccine.
Meanwhile, healthy elderlies above 60 years old without high comorbidities could only opt for the second booster dose on the advice of a medical professional.
The vaccine that will be used for the implementation of the second booster dose is the Pfizer-BioNTech (mRNA Comirnaty) Covid-19 vaccine.
The decision to roll out the administration of the second booster shot was made after the Technical Working Group looked into the scientific studies as well as studies carried out by the Malaysia cohort on those aged 60 and above with lung disease, heart disease, kidney illness, liver disease and diabetics who have high risk of developing severe symptoms or dying due to Covid-19.
Other than that, the Ministry of Health (MOH) also allows adult individuals who plan to travel overseas to obtain their second booster dose at lFor senior citizens who have completed their primary vaccination and booster jab but who have contracted COVID-19, they may apply for the second booster injection three (3) months after recovering from the virus.
ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (ProtectHealth) Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Dr. Anas Alam Faizli highlighted that the second booster dose is voluntary and given for free under the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme (PICK).
“We welcome this development, as the objective of administering the second booster dose is to ensure an optimum protection level for the elderly and high-risk individuals, being the most vulnerable groups.
“As we transition into endemicity, it is very important to continue protecting our most vulnerable population and this is one of such efforts. In addition, we have also received many queries and requests from the public about the second booster dose.
“In view of the upcoming Hari Raya festivity, I strongly advise those high-risk individuals to obtain better self-protection against the COVID-19 virus by obtaining their second booster dose vaccine,” he said.
As of 14 April 2022, a total of 15.9 million doses of booster have been administered and 12.3 million doses or 77.4% were contributed by Private Medical Practitioners (PMPs) and Healthcare Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) under ProtectHealth.
ProtectHealth through private medical practitioners and healthcare NGOs will continue to assist and work together with the MOH to maximise and expedite the implementation of the second booster dose and encourages PMPs to participate in the programme.
Lindung Diri, Lindung Semua.
PROTECTHEALTH CORPORATION SDN. BHD.
