JOHOR BARU: Johor is still lagging in Covid-19 booster shot uptake, with less than two-thirds of the state's four million population boosted.
State Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said only 56.7 per cent of the state's population had received the first booster shot, with the second booster shot coverage even lower at 1.8 per cent.
He said it was crucial for Johor folk, especially those who are high-risk, to complete their vaccination to reduce the possibility of serious complications or death due to Covid-19.
He said the emergence of new Covid-19 variants increased the risk of infection.
"Up to yesterday, 87 per cent of the population of Johor have completed their primary Covid-19 vaccination.
"However, the protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines will wane over time. The coverage depends on the variant they are infected with.
"Therefore, those who have not completed the primary doses or the booster dose, especially those who are high-risk, are advised to immediately get the vaccine via walk-in or make an appointment at a health clinic or hospital," he said today.
Last month, China ended its zero-Covid policy and removed travel restrictions for its citizens. The end of the policy has led to an increase in infections and deaths in China due to outbreaks caused by the more dangerous Omicron subvariant BA.5 and BF.7.
Malaysian public health experts urged high-risk individuals to take additional Covid-19 vaccine booster shots as their immunity might have waned and an additional dose would be needed to boost immunity.
