KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali has expressed confidence in heterologous vaccination, citing the backing of several studies in countries such as China, Israel and the United Kingdom.
He said as such in an answer to a follow-up question by Senator Datuk Kesavadas Achyuthan Nair about what kind of risk-assessment measures the Health Ministry has employed to reach a definitive decision on whether heterologous vaccination for booster shots will be allowed.
“Based on studies that I had referenced earlier, heterologous vaccinations are safe and effective.”
He also said Malaysia has yet to reach a final say on the matter as the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has only conditionally approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for booster shots.
This is despite recommendations made to the Special Committee on Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) by its technical subcommittee.
Dr Noor Azmi said, as of October 16, as many as 9,383 booster shots have been given to citizens above the age of 60 in Sarawak under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“Frontliners will be the next eligible group for the booster shots as they are considered to be in high-risk groups,” he said, adding that recipients have to have completed their first two doses at least six months prior to the third dose.
Sarawak has been administering homologous booster shots, with third shots being of the same brand as previous doses.
“At this time, vaccines, including booster shots, are given for free and the public can receive them voluntarily.
“But the government, especially the Health Ministry, emphasises the importance of the general public being vaccinated for the sake of the safety of the entire nation,” he said, adding that those who are unable to receive vaccinations because of illnesses must also be protected.
“We have not yet decided if it will be made mandatory for everyone to receive vaccinations,” he said in response to a separate question by Datuk Teo Eng Tee, who asked if the government will be amending laws anytime soon to make vaccinations mandatory for all citizens.
Earlier today, Pakatan Harapan had called for a national strategy for the roll-out of the third Covid-19 vaccine dose and booster shots after the Malaysian Medical Association asserted a lack of engagement from state Health Departments on the matter. – The Vibes, October 18, 2021
