KUALA LUMPUR – In a bid to encourage the uptake of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots, the Sinovac jab will be made available Monday onwards at all offsite vaccination centres (PPVs) under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
According to the Health Ministry’s subsidiary ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd, the free booster is available on a walk-in basis for those who received Sinovac as their first and second dose.
In a statement, the company said those who are eligible and want the Sinovac booster can refer to the list of offsite PPVs at its website.
“However, the Health Ministry is recommending Pfizer boosters for Sinovac recipients as they offer a higher level of protection.”
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin echoed the statement by ProtectHealth, tweeting that “although the ministry has recommended to get Pfizer or AstraZeneca boosters for the best top-up protection, there are some who requested for options.
“Any booster is better than no booster. We still strongly recommend a Pfizer or AstraZeneca boost. But something is better than nothing.”
Five days ago, Khairy announced that adult recipients of the Sinovac vaccine as well as citizens aged 60 and above must take their booster shots before March 1 to retain their fully vaccinated status on MySejahtera.
He said the announcement involved all those above the age of 60 and anyone who received the Sinovac vaccine as their primer dose.
He added that the daily data gathered showed individuals who have yet to be vaccinated were nine times more likely to be infected and 62 times likelier to die from Covid-19 compared to those who are fully vaccinated and those who took their booster shots. – The Vibes, February 12, 2022
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