Khairy: Early October target for third dose of Covid-19 vaccine

 

The government has set an early October target to roll out a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for vulnerable groups, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy said the groups identified include the elderly with co-morbidities, frontliners in high-risk situations, those with low immunity, as well as residents and staff of senior citizen homes.

"After that, we will open (the third dose) to other groups. (For) these (identified) groups maybe we will be able to administer the vaccines in early October.

"This is important because data shows that they make up the majority of deaths and those admitted to the intensive care unit," said Khairy at a press conference in Kedah after a meeting of the state's Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force earlier today."Some are saying the third dose meant the first two doses were ineffective. Not true.

"Many countries have introduced booster shots including in the US, UK and Singapore. This is for us to increase our immune system against Covid-19," he added.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob earlier announced that the government will provide a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine once the immunisation coverage of the country's adult population exceeds 80 percent. 

Beyond the vulnerable groups, Khairy said no decision has been made whether a booster shot will be required for everyone as the matter is still being studied by experts.

"The US Food and Drug Administration just announced the third dose for those aged above 65 years old with comorbidities.

"Each country will have its own policy," he added.

'NPRA approval needed'

On the type of vaccines to be administered, Khairy said all vaccine producers have been requested to submit information about their third dose to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) for approval.

"I expect the approvals can be granted in a week or two and after that, I will make further announcements on the vaccine types, whether it can be mixed and matched.

"All that I will announce later," he said.

Also present at the press conference was Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

On a related matter, Khairy said the state government will start vaccinating some 180,000 teenagers aged up to 17 years old in Kedah beginning tomorrow and the process is expected to be completed in a month.

To a question on an expected date for Kedah to move beyond Phase 1 in the National Recovery Plan, Khairy merely said it would depend on the progress of the set indicators which so far has shown a positive trend. - Mkini