KUALA LUMPUR – Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has confirmed that Covid-19 variants and sub-variants in China have also been detected in Malaysia based on Beijing’s reports to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Referring to available information, the Covid-19 vaccine is effective in providing protection against severe symptoms from the virus and should reduce hospital admissions, she said in a statement today.
In addition, the bivalent vaccine will also be supplied to Malaysia after recently being given conditional registration approval by the Drug Control Authority.
The minister’s statement comes after many foreign countries moved to temporarily tighten restrictions on travellers from China to curb the spread of Covid-19 within their borders.
“I pay serious attention to the concerns of the people regarding the increase in cases of Covid-19 in China as well as the restrictions that some other countries have placed against travellers from China,” Dr Zaliha’s statement also said.
“The ministry will increase the methods of containment of the spread of Covid-19 infection in the country as well as preparedness to face any possible increase of cases.”
At the same time, with the extension of Malaysia as an “Infectious Endemic Area” until June 2023, the ministry has room to take immediate action when needed.
She added that this includes changing existing policies, especially healthcare management of the pandemic at the national borders, as well as tightening the standard operating procedures for health checks at the country’s entry points.
If necessary, these measures will also be implemented to all visitors – Malaysian citizens and non-citizens – arriving not only from China but anywhere in the world.
She said the ministry was also always ready to increase its capacity to face any eventuality.
The ministry is always in close contact and holds periodic discussions with WHO, China, and fellow Asean countries, she said.
“The Health Ministry also urges the public who received the first booster dose (more than six months ago) to get a second booster dose and not wait for the bivalent vaccine.
“This is because the existing monovalent vaccine is still very effective in reducing serious symptoms and cases of death.
“The ministry is hopeful the percentage of Malaysians taking the booster dose will continue to increase – especially among the at-risk groups – considering that currently only 49.8% of Malaysians have received the first booster dose and only 1.9% have received the second booster dose.
“I would like to continue to remind the people to continue to take care of their own health and that of their families, and always adhere to the recommendations and health advice that are often emphasised, namely ‘Avoid 3S, Practice 3W, and Practice TRIIS’”, she added. – The Vibes, January 2, 2023
