KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is discussing its annual Covid-19 vaccination strategy, and will refer to health experts on the need for a yearly jab against the virus.
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said, however, it was not very likely that the yearly vaccine, if any, would be offered to everyone.
"Other countries too have yet to decide if they will offer yearly immunisation.
"We will refer to experts on what we should do. Perhaps, we will offer vaccines for the elderly or those with health problems.
"It doesn't seem like we will offer it to everyone… I don't think that's likely unless there is a new, more severe variant," he told reporters after the launch of the Bringing Education and Understanding to You (Beauty) and Health initiative here today.
Khairy said he would announce the policy for yearly immunisation once there was more clarity on the situation.
He also said despite the low uptake of the second Covid-19 booster dose, the ministry would not make it compulsory for the public to receive it.
"We expected the low uptake, but we will continue recommending those aged 50 and above, especially those with health issues, to get their booster dose.
"There will be no compulsion. Many already know about Covid-19, the benefits of vaccination, and they know where to get vaccinated.
"It is difficult to force people, but we will continue to educate and encourage them," he added.
Earlier in his speech, Khairy said cancer patients were still at high risk for Covid-19 due to their health conditions and the condition of their immune systems.
The ministry, he assured, would continue to protect those in the high-risk category through public health measures.
Khairy also said only 10 per cent of those who qualified for the Health Ministry's "Skim Peduli Kesihatan untuk Golongan B40 (Peka B40)" programme had come forward for their screening in the last three years.
He said out of six million of those qualified, only 600,000 people had turned up to utilise the Peka B40 scheme, which enabled them to undergo free health screening, including cancer screening.
He said every year, about 50,000 people in the country were diagnosed with cancer, and the number was expected to rise to 70,000 by 2030.
"We've asked our partners such as private clinics to reach out to communities to conduct screening.
"Community empowerment is key in cancer awareness. Early detection makes all the difference and is a significant factor in improved outcomes."
Khairy added that the Beauty and Health project, where local barbershops and beauty salons act as health communication platforms for cancer prevention and screening, was very timely.
"These visits to salons and barbershops are not only necessary, but also a form of relaxation for us.
"We share stories with our stylists, while stylists share educational cancer information.
"We should normalise talking about it, even something as innocent as asking someone when was the last time they went for a health check," he said.