AT last, we have turned a corner in our fight against the pandemic. Thanks to the accelerated pace of vaccination, Malaysia's Covid-19 cases have continued to drop since early September.
Vaccination coverage for the adult population is now at 95.9 per cent.
Per the CovidNow portal, 44.9 per cent of intensive care unit beds in hospitals are being utilised for Covid-19 patients.
Lest we rest on our laurels, we need to be vigilant against breakthrough infections, which occur in fully vaccinated individuals.
Nearly half the people who have been fully inoculated against Covid-19 in Malaysia received the Sinovac vaccine (49 per cent). Forty-three per cent received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Since the categories 4 and 5 hospital admissions mostly involved Sinovac recipients due to waning immunity, the decision to call all Sinovac recipients to get the Pfizer booster dose is timely.
Sinovac contains an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus and an adjuvant, which enhances the body's immune response to an antigen.
This vaccine-induced immunity wanes in some individuals after a certain period.
However, it can be boosted with a heterologous vaccine that stimulates the immune response to a different but related antigen, and the Pfizer vaccine fits the bill.
A booster dose of that vaccine affords better protection, but can also induce side effects.
Currently, the booster dose is given to individuals aged 50 and above, people with comorbidities, and frontline healthcare workers.
Sinovac recipients who completed their vaccination three months ago and Pfizer recipients who completed their vaccination six months ago are encouraged to get a booster dose.
Disappointingly, there is a high rate of people deferring their appointments for the booster dose, which should not be happening when the virus still poses a threat.
Additionally, the following five measures can help us deal with the Covid-19 situation.
FIRST, authorities should encourage Sinovac recipients, particularly in the workplace and universities, to immediately get a booster dose.
SECOND, one-fifth of the population has not received the vaccine. Hence, the authorities have to urge this segment to get inoculated.
We should play our part by coaxing this recalcitrant group to do so as well.
If need be, the government will have to consider mandating vaccination.
THIRD, we should keep vigilant and not let our guard down.
So, please mask up, follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) and avoid crowded places.
These are the best ways to prevent ourselves from being infected by the virus.
We should perform the antigen test should we exhibit Covid-19 symptoms or if we have been exposed to Covid-19-positive individuals.
We should also follow the mantra of the Health Ministry: Test, Report, Isolate, Inform and Seek medical help if you have Covid-19 symptoms and breathing difficulty.
FOURTH, we need to continue to maintain our health.
Eating healthy ensures that we have adequate amounts of zinc, Vitamin C and D to fight against respiratory diseases and enhance healing.
FIFTH, regular health check-ups are necessary if one has non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart problems.
Monitor your blood glucose as well if you have diabetes, and ensure proper ventilation in the home and workplace to prevent the spread of infection.
We are in the last phase of the war against Covid-19 and can overcome the disease by strictly following the SOP, ventilating our workplace and home, and taking the booster dose.
The writer is dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, and chairman of the Covid-19 Task Force, AIMST University
