KUALA LUMPUR: Administering a second Covid-19 booster dose to those below 60 and without health problems will contain the spread of the virus in the community.
Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the government could consider this measure as Covid-19 cases were rising.
"Giving a second booster dose to those below 60 and without health problems is a good proposal.
Perhaps, by now, the immunity level (against Covid-19) has reduced.
"Additionally, the number of cases is still high within the community," he told 'Harian Metro'.
He said this in response to the move by the Technical Working Group (TWG) for Vaccination to look into the recommendation of administering a second Covid-19 booster dose to individuals aged below 60 and without health issues.
Dr Zainal said this was the most effective way to contain the spread of the virus.
"Apart from the second booster dose, the public cannot let their guard down and must put on their face masks.
"Those who show symptoms must self-quarantine and avoid public spaces to stop the virus from spreading."
Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said TWG's decision on the matter would be announced within two weeks.
He said TWG had also recommended the booster dose for children aged between 12 and 17 who were moderately or severely immunocompromised to be re-categorised as a third dose and complemented the primer doses.
In a press conference in Parliament yesterday, Khairy said this move was to provide optimum protection for teenagers against severe Covid-19 symptoms.
Khairy also warned of a fourth Covid-19 wave after the detection of the Omicron BA.5 subvariant in the country.
He urged those who had yet to get their booster shots to do so, especially those who were in the high-risk category.