KUALA LUMPUR: Concern has risen as Malaysia recorded a surge in weekly new Covid-19 cases, with the Health Ministry proactively encouraging everyone to go for another booster jab.
Reflecting a diminishing Covid-19 herd immunity, the nation recorded 20,696 new cases, marking a substantial 62.2 per cent increase during epidemiological week 50 from Dec 10 to Dec 16, compared to the week before
With the year-end festivities in full swing, experts foresee an ongoing rise in Covid-19 cases attributed to the large gatherings and movements during celebrations, while the Omicron variant maintains its sweeping presence across communities.
Here is what you need to know about the Covid-19 vaccination while considering another booster jab.
Q: How vaccinated against Covid-19 are we?
A: Data from the Health Ministry's website show that 86.2 per cent of Malaysians have received their initial Covid-19 vaccine, with 84.4 per cent having completed the vaccination with their second dose.
However, only 50 per cent have taken their first booster shot, and a mere 2.5 per cent of Malaysians have obtained their second booster injection.
Q: Are booster shots necessary?
A: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad previously recommended that senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes should consider getting their booster vaccinations.
Echoing Dr Dzulkefly, Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam, Monash University's molecular virologist and Associate Professor, said the immunity accorded by previous Covid-19 vaccines would have diminished over time, from three to six months for specific individuals.
Dr Vinod advised adopting a vaccination plan for Covid-19 that closely mirrors the trajectory of influenza vaccination, citing the observed similarity in rapid mutation between the two viruses.
"We might have come to a point where we might need to get yearly Covid-19 vaccination to just hinder from these niggling symptoms.
"It would undoubtedly be beneficial to receive an updated version of booster doses, and the public should be given the choice to take them.
"It is better for the government to plan for the long term rather than react only when cases are high. The virus has assimilated and acquired crucial mutations, making it akin to the flu (it is here to stay)," he said.
Dr Vinod advised everyone to get the second dose of booster shots, not just to safeguard oneself but also to generate herd immunity to protect certain communities, especially immunocompromised individuals, elders aged 65 and above, and those with comorbidities.
Q: Who is eligible for booster shots?
A: For second booster shots:
Individuals aged 18 and above should get a second Covid-19 booster shot six months after the first.
High-risk individuals are encouraged to get their second booster shot after getting advice from registered medical practitioners.
For first booster shots:
Those aged 18 and above who have received the primary Covid-19 vaccine could get their first booster jab with a gap of at least three months from the second vaccine dose.
For high-risk children and adolescents:
High-risk individuals aged 12 to 17 in the immunocompromised category (verified by medical experts) are advised to give a three-month interval between receiving the booster jab and the third primary dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Q: How would you know if you actually need a booster? Do your antibody levels matter?
A: Virologist Associate Professor Dr Chee Hui Yee said the measurement of antibody levels can be conducted. However, it may not be the sole determinant indicating the necessity for a booster.
Public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said while there are no definite methods to know if one needs a booster, he recommended that individuals who have gotten their vaccination for more than six months to take an additional jab for better protection.
Q: Can you mix and match vaccines during your booster?
A: It is a resounding 'yes' from medical experts. Dr Chee and Dr Zainal said there is no issue with mixing different brands of vaccines during booster.
"It is absolutely fine, as many studies before have shown heterologous boosting gives many benefits," added Dr Vinod.
Q: Do you still need a booster if you recently had Covid-19?
A: Clinical guidelines released by the Health Ministry in Oct 2021 stated that those who recently tested positive for Covid-19 should defer vaccination for at least 90 days.
As per the guidelines, evidence indicates that those infected with Covid-19 would have substantial protection against reinfection for at least three months.
However, it also pointed out that earlier vaccination might be needed for the best possible protection especially when new variants are going around.
Dr Zainal said it is strongly encouraged to have at least a two to three-month gap after infection.
Some experts have also suggested a gap of up to six months.
Q: How and where can you get the Covid-19 booster?
A: The Health Ministry recently announced that the public could either walk into the listed PPVs or schedule an appointment via the MySejahtera application to get inoculated.
A total of 234 vaccination centres (PPV) have been set up nationwide in health clinics to administer Covid-19 vaccines and boosters.
Q: Will the booster shot protect me against new Covid-19 variants?
A: Dr Vinod said getting boosted with more recent vaccines with updated formulations would offer protection against the circulating variants.
Citing the World Health Organisation's report, Dr Chee said the current vaccine is still effective in protecting against severe diseases.
Professor Dr Zamberi Sekawi, a consultant clinical microbiologist and Universiti Putra Malaysia Professor of Medical Microbiology, said there was no need for the people to wait for the latest bivalent or updated monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine as their next booster.
While he did not rule out the fact that boosters will not offer 100 per cent protection, he said vaccination were a means to reduce severe implications.
The existing vaccine, he said, should be enough to minimise the impact of the virus.