KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the current round of Covid-19 cases being less severe than those observed last year, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has reminded Malaysians that there is still a high possibility of contracting severe or long Covid-19 infections.
MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said that individuals are advised to get their booster shots for maximum protection, as there is still a risk of getting infected by severe or long Covid-19 variants even after obtaining a full vaccination status.
He said that unvaccinated Malaysians should immediately take action due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant in the community.
“As we transition into an endemic state, people are reminded that the low rates of hospitalisations and deaths are largely due to the high uptake of vaccination in this country.
“To those who have yet to take the boosters, especially so for those in the co-morbid and above 60s group who have yet to take their first dose, you are at high risk of developing severe Covid-19,” he said.
In a statement today, MMA reminded individuals to grab any type of vaccines available, instead of delaying and waiting for those that have yet to arrive.
The government has made two types of vaccines available for Malaysians to choose from: Comirnaty by Pfizer and Coronavac by Sinovac.
“It is to be remembered that the best vaccine is still the one that is in your arm,” adding that Omicron can bring about disastrous consequences to our healthcare system.
Omicron, which was detected at the end of 2021, has been known to spread more easily than the original virus and the Delta variant.
According to the World Health Organisation, Omicron may cause an increased risk of reinfection for those who have contracted Covid-19 before.
Those who are infected by Omicron may face symptoms such as a runny nose, headache, mild or severe fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. – The Vibes, February 22, 2022
