SIBU, Oct 24: Individuals aged 60 and above who are qualified for Covid-19 booster dose, have been advised to receive it.
Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee coordinator, Dr Annuar Rapaee in making this advice via his Facebook livestream reasoned why booster dose is needed.
“I advise people to receive the booster dose as we don’t know the level of immunity in our body after the first two doses. (Presently) those who are eligible for the booster dose are individuals above 60 years old who have been fully vaccinated with Sinovac three months ago and six months for Pfizer,” he said.
Frontliners involved in the fight against the pandemic are also qualified for the booster dose.
The Nangka assemblyman said in Sibu between 20,000 to 40,000 individuals aged 60 and above are qualified for the booster dose.
“Eligible recipients will be notified by the Health Ministry through MySejahtera app starting this week for the setting of the appointment,” he said.
In replying to queries from the public whether booster dose was needed, he said study had shown that it is needed to increase the level of immunity against the coronavirus.
On the possible side effects of booster dose, he said, “I had my booster dose last Monday. I experienced the same side effect as from the first two doses. Different people might experience different side effect but overall, they (side effects) are the same.”
As for the possible side effects of Myocarditis which is the inflammation of the heart muscle, Dr Annuar said the number of booster dose recipients who might experience it will be very low.
He also advised the people not to take it for granted on the continuous drop in Covid-19 cases in the State by doing away with the standard operating procedure.
Citing Sibu as an example, he said the number of cases had decreased from 914 in Weeks Oct 10-16 to 632 cases in Weeks Oct 17-23.
“Do not think that due to the drop in cases that we do not need the SOP already. We still need to adhere to the SOP. For those under home quarantine, I advise that you constantly check your oxygen level using pulse meter. If you develop symptoms such as fever, call the CAC (covid assessment centre) or hospital immediately. Do not wait until your health condition get serious that you will only do it,” he strongly advised.
Dr Annuar said there were cases here where the patients neither wanted to check on their health status nor seek treatment at hospital but had only done it when they collapsed. — DayakDaily.
