KUALA LUMPUR: The new Covid-19 variant could pose risks of hospitalisation, death, and other complications for the vulnerable group, an expert warned.
Virologist Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit said even individuals in good health could be susceptible to long-term Covid-19 conditions.
He said it could be characterised by persistent, recurrent, or prolonged symptoms lasting for weeks or months post-initial coronavirus infection.
"(Thus) It is important for countries to continue monitoring the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and to share the information in real-time with the rest of the world.
"Any significant change in the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 which affects the present vaccine effectiveness of current vaccines will influence the formulation of the next generation of Covid-19 vaccines," he said in a statement today.
Dr Lam said the World Health Organisation (WHO) advisory committee on Covid-19 vaccines has recommended sticking with the current monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine.
This vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness against various circulating variants, replacing the previous bivalent vaccine introduced in 2022, which targeted the Omicron subvariants along with the original Covid-19 virus.
"The updated vaccine, monovalent XBB.1.5, is designed to protect against this specific subvariant and is expected to provide coverage against more recent virus variants like EG.5 and BA.2.86.
"Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines with these updates have been approved by the US FDA and CDC.
"They focus on XBB.1.5, a subvariant of Omicron that dominated the global scene from November 2021 until earlier this year."
The CDC stated that these updated vaccines should also be effective against currently circulating variants, many of which are connected to the XBB strain, he said.
Dr Lam also commended the Health Ministry's initiative to encourage Malaysians to wear masks in crowded indoor areas, practice good hygiene, and receive a second booster dose.
"This is especially important for the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, immune-compromised individuals, and those with comorbidities such as diabetes and heart diseases.
"The ministry still has ample stock of the original Covid-19 vaccines and intends to offer them as booster shots.
"(But) any new orders for Covid-19 vaccines should take heed of the WHO statement on the antigen composition of Covid-19 vaccines released on Dec 13, 2023."
On Wednesday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the government may announce additional directives, especially for high-risk groups, considering the rising number of cases in the country.
He said the ministry may direct booster jabs for people with comorbidities and the elderly.
Dr Dzulkefly also noted that the number of Covid-19 infections in recent weeks had already surpassed 12,000.