ALOR SETAR: The Health Ministry is prepared to administer third dose of Covid-19 vaccine or booster shots to eligible groups starting early next month.
Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the administration of the booster dose was important especially to protect vulnerable groups.
"Based on the data on death (as the result of Covid-19) and patients in the Category 5 referred to the Intensive Care Units, more of them comprises elderly citizens with heart problem, diabetes, hypertension and others (underlying health disease)," he said.
He was speaking to reporters during his working visit to the state and after chairing the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force meeting here today.
Present were Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob earlier today announced the government had agreed to administer booster shots after the nationwide vaccination rate exceeded 80 per cent of the adult population.
Priority for the administration of the third dose would be given to high-risk groups.
Those in this group, said Ismail Sabri, include healthcare frontliners, people who are immunocompromised, the elderly with comorbidities and those residing and working at long-term health care facilities.
Khairy added that the ministry was still in talks with health and medical experts to determine the age of eligible recipients.
He, however, stressed that the move to provide booster shots does not mean that two doses of vaccines previously given to the people is not effective.
Khairy said the administration of the third dose of the vaccine would increase the immune system of the people against the virus.
Asked on the type of vaccine to be administered as booster shot, Khairy said the ministry was in the process of obtaining information from Covid-19 manufacturer to register it with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
"For the administration of third dose of the vaccine, we must obtain approval from the NPRA.
"Having that said, all manufacturers of the vaccines have been asked to update and submit information on Covid-19 booster doses with the NPRA.
"I expect (the booster dose will be approved by NPRA) in two weeks. After that, I will make an announcement on the type of vaccine, whether we can mix the vaccines or otherwise.
"On the supply of the vaccines, I am confident that it is sufficient (for the booster shots)," he said.