March 31 deadline for booster dose is final - Khairy

 

The March 31 deadline for Sinovac primary vaccine recipients to get a Covid-19 booster dose injection to retain their fully vaccinated status is final, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said after that date, their vaccination status will change to incomplete if they have yet to receive the booster jab.

“Starting April 1, for Sinovac primary vaccine recipients aged 18 and above and senior citizens, who still have not taken a booster dose, their vaccination status will change from yellow to white. It is final,” he said in a press conference on the development of the Covid-19 today.

Previously, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that vaccine recipients aged 60 and above and Sinovac recipients aged 18 and above must obtain their booster dose before Feb 28 to retain their fully vaccinated status.

However, Khairy in a press conference on Feb 24 announced that the period to obtain a booster dose for the groups has been extended until March 31.

Khairy said that to date, a total of 35,000 senior citizens who are Sinovac primary vaccine recipients, had yet to receive the booster dose.

“For the elderly, booster dose has been shown to prevent the adverse effects of Covid-19. Therefore, it is important to get a booster dose.

“Indeed, the Omicron wave is not seen as aggressive as Delta, but for the elderly, especially those with comorbidities, it will not be a mild disease as this can lead to death,” he said.

Khairy said Sinovac primary vaccine recipients, especially the elderly, could now get booster dose injections via walk-in at the vaccination centre.

- Bernama