PUTRAJAYA – The resurgence of Covid-19 in Sarawak of late may be due to the waning efficacy of vaccines, said Khairy Jamaluddin.
The health minister warned that if this proves true, other states could face the same situation in the coming months.
In view of the situation in Sarawak, he said, the government is considering administering booster shots to residents there, with priority accorded to high-risk individuals.
“We had a long discussion this morning on the situation in Sarawak. We are not extremely sure what’s driving the transmission there, but one possibility is the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time,” he told a press conference here today.
“Other countries have started giving booster shots, especially to the elderly and other high-risk groups. Certainly, we are not ruling that out.
“I have asked the relevant committee to prepare a report by next week. What happened in Sarawak could possibly happen in other states, if it is because of vaccines’ waning effect.”
Apart from the reduced efficacy of jabs, he said, another possible reason for the spike in Sarawak’s coronavirus cases is the emergence of the Delta variant, as well as the gradual reopening of the economy.
He said he will visit the state next week to discuss additional measures that can be taken to reduce the virus transmission there.
“I have asked for more granular analysis to be done on this, and I will announce something when I get to Sarawak.”
Khairy was asked to comment on the increasing virus deaths in Sarawak – which was one of the first states to attain herd immunity among the adult population – involving fully vaccinated individuals.
Yesterday, The Vibes reported state Disaster Management Committee adviser Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian as saying more than half of the 57 fatalities recorded in Sarawak over the last week involved the fully inoculated.
However, said Khairy, nationwide, the percentage of vaccinated people who have died of Covid-19 stands at only 0.009% of the overall population.
This proves that vaccines work to protect individuals, with deaths few and far between, he said.
I would like to state here that based on granular data, vaccination works. It doesn’t matter what type (of vaccine); it will protect you. There are still breakthrough deaths, but these are only 90 people per one million population.
“Of course there will be breakthrough deaths, but you are better off with the vaccine than without. Don’t doubt that vaccination helps you.”
Of the fully vaccinated individuals who died of Covid-19, he said, 81% had comorbidities, while 80% were over the age of 60. – The Vibes, September 9, 2021
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