Khairy says Omicron-specific booster still being weighed, might not be offered to all

Well being Minister Khairy Jamaluddin stated the ministry was nonetheless growing which classes would most require the booster vaccine dose based mostly on epidemiological knowledge. — Bernama pic

By R. Loheswar

Wednesday, 07 Sep 2022 5:27 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The Well being Ministry was favouring a focused approaching to providing Malaysians the brand new Covid-19 vaccines focusing on the Omicron variant, Khairy Jamaluddin stated right this moment.

He stated the ministry was nonetheless growing which classes would most require the booster vaccine dose based mostly on epidemiological knowledge.

“We’re taking a look at buying these vaccines for many who are excessive threat. Nevertheless, we’re nonetheless undecided.

“We really feel a focused strategy stands out as the option to go, however so far as the immunisation programme, we aren’t certain whether or not to supply it to the mass vaccination marketing campaign or goal particular teams,” he stated right this moment.

Malaysia has to date provided as many as 4 doses of the Covid-19 vaccines — two main doses and one other two boosters — to larger threat teams corresponding to senior residents and people with co-morbidities.

On September 1, 2022, the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention endorsed using up to date Covid-19 booster photographs which might be particularly tailor-made to fight the 2 most prevalent Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5.

The choice was after the US Meals and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorisation of the photographs. The CDC’s backing will allow a full rollout of the reformulated vaccines to start inside days.

The EUA was given to the reformulated vaccines from each Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.

Earlier right this moment, Khairy introduced Malaysia was additionally making indoor masks utilization non-obligatory besides on public transport.

Nevertheless, he stated Malaysians ought to nonetheless stay vigilant towards Covid-19 an infection.

The Well being Ministry beforehand made masking outside non-obligatory from Could 1, as a part of the nation’s transfer to Covid-19 endemicity.