KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has urged all prospective haj pilgrims aged between 12 and 18 to get their Covid-19 vaccine booster doses.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the administration of booster doses to the group has to be done based on several conditions.
“For instance, they have to receive the booster dose within five months of receiving their second primary dose.
“For youths who have completed their primary dose but have been infected with Covid-19, they are eligible to receive the booster dose as soon as they completely recover,” he said in a statement today.
Khairy said, considering that haj pilgrims are required to take other jabs such as the meningococcal, influenza or pneumococcal vaccines, the administration of the Covid-19 booster doses can be done in the period two weeks before or after the other vaccines are given.
“All prospective haj pilgrims involved can get the booster dose through walk-in appointments at any vaccine administration centres still in operation.
“They must also bring supporting documents such as proof of the offer letter to carry out the haj.”
Previously, Khairy had urged all prospective haj pilgrims aged 60 years and older, as well as those aged between 18 and 59 who are at clinical risk of chronic diseases, to get their second booster doses before departing for the holy land.
He said this measure is intended to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection amongst haj pilgrims while they are at the holy land, taking into account the large crowds involving pilgrims from all over the world.
This year, Saudi Arabia is allowing one million pilgrims from all countries to carry out the haj pilgrimage, after two years where no pilgrimage was held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As with other countries, the haj pilgrim quota granted to Malaysia this year has been reduced to 45% of the usual number, or 14,306 pilgrims compared with the 31,600 allowed to perform the rite in 2019.
As a preventive and control measure, Saudi Arabia has stipulated that all haj pilgrims must be fully vaccinated before departing for Mecca.
It has also encouraged pilgrims to get booster doses in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection in the country, especially in crowded areas and on public transport.
It is understood that the flight for the first group of Malaysian haj pilgrims is scheduled to depart on May 31, after gaining approval from the relevant authorities. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022
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