No go for mix-and-match Covid-19 booster shots in S’wak

MIRI – The administration of Covid-19 booster shots in Sarawak will not involve heterologous vaccination – the mixing and matching of different brands, says Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

The state Disaster Management Committee adviser said only the Pfizer vaccine is being used in the move for now.

“Medical frontliners and high-risk groups throughout Sarawak are the first to get the Covid-19 booster doses in their respective clinics and hospitals now. 

“Malaysian medical experts had set the following criteria for booster doses. Only Pfizer is approved for booster dose for the time being. There is no mixing of vaccines yet.

“Those who are already six months into their second dose will get the booster shot,” he said in his social media updates to answer public queries.

Previously, the government had agreed to allow heterologous vaccination for the administration of Covid-19 booster shots.

On October 4, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had told the Dewan Rakyat that the decision was made in a meeting of the Special Committee on Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) following recommendations from its technical subcommittee. 

“JKJAV has been recommended to allow heterologous vaccination for booster shots, which will begin this month,” he said in Parliament, adding that studies on its safety have been conducted. 

“This means vaccines can be mixed, and need not necessarily be the same as the first and second doses.” 

Meanwhile, those who have received Sinovac and AstraZeneca shots are asking if they, too, can get booster shots.

Dr Sim said discussions about other vaccine brands are still ongoing at the Health Ministry.

“If you are in the high-risk category, vulnerable and aged 60 (and above) but have not been informed yet, I was told you can make appointments with the nearest participating clinics after this Friday.

“As it was in the beginning of the year, after this group will come those with comorbidities. I’m sure that as more people approach the six-month (after dose two) timeline, medical experts will have more decisions on booster doses for those with Sinovac and AstraZeneca,” he said.
  
Dr Sim also thanked the Health Ministry for entrusting Sarawak as the first state in the country to start the booster shots programme.

Sarawak has seen about 1,100 Covid-19 fatalities and 230,000 positive infections to date. It is the state with the highest rate of Delta variant transmissions. – The Vibes, October 14, 2021