KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry will roll out a third Covid-19 booster due to the recent increase in cases.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the implementation will involve vulnerable groups, such as chronic patients and the elderly, who are at a higher risk of infection.
“The ministry may issue instructions in the near future,” he said, as reported by Sinar Harian.
Dzulkefly said this to the media after the ministry’s monthly assembly today.
Dzulkefly also gave assurance that the supply of vaccines in the country is sufficient to meet demand.
“If we are going to implement this (third booster dose), it is safe to say we have a sufficient supply of vaccines that haven’t expired,” he said, adding that the cabinet had been informed about the current Covid-19 situation at its meeting yesterday.
At the ministry’s assembly today, Dzulkefly also said the surge in Covid-19 cases was due to the inter-state movement of people during the year-end holiday season as well as weather conditions.
”We should wear a face mask when in crowded places and if experiencing symptoms,” he said.
Yesterday, the ministry said Covid-19 cases had nearly doubled since the previous week to 12,757 between December 3 and 9, compared to 6,796 cases between November 26 and December 2.
The ministry said the increase in cases is in line with the trend in other countries, and that the majority of cases in Malaysia experienced mild symptoms and did not require hospitalisation.
Total admission of Covid-19 patients to health facilities for non-critical beds has increased to 1.4% at present.
There are also 26 new Omicron variants that have been reported worldwide. – December 14, 2023