PETALING JAYA: The health ministry has announced the mechanism on second booster shots for senior citizens, those with comorbidities, travellers, as well as moderate or severely immunocompromised adolescents.
Senior citizens
Individuals aged 60 and above as well as anyone with comorbidities will be given a Pfizer (Comirnaty) second booster dose, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said.
“To be eligible, a senior citizen must have received the first booster dose at least four to six months earlier. For those infected with Covid-19 and have completed their first booster shot, they can receive it three months after making a full recovery,” he added.
Individuals who are undergoing treatment in public or private hospitals listed as PPVs may apply for the fourth dose from the respective hospitals.
For hospitals not listed as a PPV, the medical personnel must complete a PreVaccination Assessment (PVA) and refer their patient to the nearest PPV.
Khairy said senior citizens may also walk-in to any PPV and, if needed, the medical officer will carry out a PVA.
He added that elderly care homes may also apply to the nearest district health office (PKD) for the administration of the fourth dose under the ministry’s outreach programme.
Adolescents at high risk
Khairy said adolescents aged between 12 and 17 who are medically certified to be moderately or severely immunocompromised may be given a booster dose at least 28 days after the completion of the second dose of vaccine.
“Teenagers who have been infected with Covid-19 and have fully recovered are eligible for the booster dose after three months,” he added.
He said adolescents undergoing treatment at public and private hospitals, private specialist clinics for children, and specialist health clinics may be given a booster shot at the respective health facility.
Adolescents who are eligible but have not been offered a third dose may refer to a medical specialist to carry out a PVA and be referred to any of the health facilities mentioned above.
Travellers
Khairy said those aged 18 and above who wish to travel overseas may be given a second booster shot at least one month from the date of the third dose.
“They may walk-in to any PPV with supporting documents such as proof of a flight ticket booking and travel itinerary,” he said.
On Monday, Khairy said high-risk senior citizens will not be forced to take a second booster shot.
“This is a choice, the health ministry can only recommend (taking a second booster shot).
“Don’t say I am forcing them. I just want to ensure our senior citizens get the best protection, especially when they ‘balik kampung’ later,” he said in an online video clip, referring to the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. - FMT
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