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Experts appear divided over the government’s decision to administer a third Covid-19 vaccine dose or booster shots after the nationwide vaccination rate exceeds 80 per cent of the adult population.
Universiti Malaya’s Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC) director Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said the decision to implement booster shots should be driven by data.
“We need a (solid) basis (in deciding) on why we require the boosters and what are they exactly for. Do we have the data from the Health Ministry, saying that the death rates among those who were vaccinated have been steadily increasing?” he asked.
He added that Israel had reported waning immunity months after vaccination, which justified their move to implement booster shots.
KUALA LUMPUR: Experts appear divided over the government’s decision to administer a third Covid-19 vaccine dose or booster shots after the nationwide vaccination rate exceeds 80 per cent of the adult population.
Datuk Dr N.K.S.Tharmaseelan, when contacted, said the announcement was timely as it would safeguard against emerging variants and threats of Covid-19.
“The administration of the third dose has to start whilst ensuring that all Malaysians complete their single or two-dose vaccine too, according to the vaccine type.
“(And) as the prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) has pointed out, it would be logical that the priority of the third dose to be given to the high-risk groups,” said the former Malaysian Medical Association president.
He also said that it was not necessary to wait for the entire population to be vaccinated before the rolling out the booster shot.
Asked about booster shots for the rest of the population, Dr Tharmaseelan said they too should be offered the third dose after the groups who are at higher risk get their shots.
“The government will certainly not leave the rest out, and they too will be offered the third dose once the high-risk groups have had their booster dose,” he said, adding that the public must continue to adhere to the standard operating procedures, even after having completed their vaccinations.
However, Universiti Malaya’s occupational and public health expert Prof Dr Victor Hoe said the current vaccine regime remained effective against severe diseases, hospitalisation, and death.
“Reports from many countries including Malaysia have found that people who have been fully vaccinated were still able to get infected with the Delta variant.
“The viral load in vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant is the same as unvaccinated people.
“The reports also show that fully vaccinated people have less severe diseases, and are less likely to be hospitalised or die from Covid-19.
“We are seeing the same pattern in our hospital. This is good news, which indicates the current vaccine regime is still effective against the new variant.”
On evidence pertaining to booster shots’ ability to increase antibody levels, Hoe said the data need to be interpreted with caution as booster recipients might possess different health risks compared to those who did not.
“Booster shots should only be given to people who have a higher risk of contracting severe disease or dying from Covid-19. These people are usually 60-years-olds or older and those with co-morbid conditions.
“At the same time, people should continue with the current public health measures as even with the booster dose, the protection is still not absolute.”
Universiti Malaya’s Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC) director Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said the decision to implement booster shots should be driven by data.
“We need a (solid) basis (in deciding) on why we require the boosters and what are they exactly for. Do we have the data from the Health Ministry, saying that the death rates among those who were vaccinated have been steadily increasing?” he asked.
He added that Israel had reported waning immunity months after vaccination, which justified their move to implement booster shots.
“We do not have to follow them. We need justification, otherwise, we will be wasting resources.”
Dr Sazaly said Malaysia should focus on increasing its vaccination rate instead.
“If possible, the rate should be 100 per cent. That should be our priority.”
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