PETALING JAYA: Clearer information and data on the Omicron variant is expected to be received in the next one to two weeks.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the relevant information, among others, covered aspects of infection rate, the virulence of the Variant of Concern (VOC) and whether it was 'resistant to the effects of the vaccine.
While awaiting such data and information from other countries, he said, the government would continue with preventive measures, through a public health control approach that has so far been described as a powerful 'weapon' in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
"We need to monitor and understand in a more detailed manner the aspects of infection, immunity and virulence of the Omicron variant.
"Hopefully, clearer data and information from countries with greater prevalence (in the case of Omicron outbreaks) will be available to us within these two weeks.
"Meanwhile, we are continuing with the previously announced measures, namely public health approach, compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and vaccination especially booster doses to high-risk groups," he told a press conference after officiating the Third Asia 2021 Global Wound Conference here today.
Present were Kuala Lumpur Hospital Director, Dr Rohana Johan and Sunway Medical Center Velocity Kuala Lumpur Chief Executive Officer, Derrick Chan.
Khairy said the original plan was to move into the endemic phase when all Malaysian states entered phase four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
When the goal is achieved, he said, the government through the quartet committee was prepared to announce some pre-endemic measures,
"However, due to Omicron, we will re-examine within a week or two and make an assessment on the transition to the endemic phase," he said.
Touching on vaccination efforts, Khairy said an announcement on the decision to declare the booster dose jab as the complete immunisation would be made next week.
Apart from that, he said, the Health Ministry (MoH) aims to provide a booster shot to 75 per cent of the population in Malaysia, which is to be completed by March next year.
"This effort takes a little time unless we shorten the time interval to be given for booster injections," he said.
