KUALA LUMPUR: Health experts are urging Malaysians to get their Covid-19 booster shots following the rising number of infections nationwide.
They believe the existing vaccines are sufficient to curb infection.
Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi, a consultant clinical microbiologist and Universiti Putra Malaysia Professor of Medical Microbiology, said there was no need for the people to wait for the latest bivalent or updated monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine as their next booster.
The existing vaccine, he said, should be enough to minimise the impact of the virus.
"Take whatever vaccines that are available now. The monovalent is just an updated version of the vaccine. The existing version is just as good.
"The Covid-19 situation now is not as serious as before with many only experiencing mild symptoms and a large part of those infected are also asymptomatic.
"The major concern is the high-risk groups. These are the people we should look at getting the booster shots now as an extra protection," he told the New Straits Times.
Malaysian Public Health Organisation adviser Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar agreed on the need to push for booster shots for the vulnerable groups.
He said the government also needed to get the basics right, such as getting people to avoid crowded places and observe quarantine if infected.
He reckoned that the Health Ministry's move not to consider any form of the Movement Control Order (MCO) as logical.
"We should not worry about the sharp increase in the cases as the majority are only mild cases. It isn't placing undue strain on our healthcare system.
"It is good that the government is not taking drastic action but is instead adopting a soft approach. We would still encourage high-risk groups to get the booster dose," he added.
Universiti Putra Malaysia epidemiologist and biostatistician Associate Professor Dr Malina Osman said people should not panic as the situation was similar to last year, when there was also a surge in cases.
The government, she said, was also being wise by not considering the MCO.
"On vaccines, the government has assured that the existing batch of vaccines are still relevant in curbing Covid-19, so there is no need to wait for the updated versions.
"To the vulnerable groups, please get it now. Do not wait.
"In addition, I would suggest a mask mandate for those in healthcare facilities," she said.
