KUCHING, Nov 3: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen has played down concerns regarding Covid-19 booster shots and encouraged those eligible to take up the booster shots especially the high-risk elderly group as it gives more protection in view of the vaccine’s waning efficacy over time.
This follows the many calls he received from his constituents expressing worry about the third Covid-19 vaccine shot especially when it comes to “mix and match” or heterologous vaccination.
Dr Yii who is a medical doctor by training said data from studies in different countries including Germany, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and many more have shown more on the advantage of heterologous vaccination which increases antibody levels.
He added Thailand also did a study recently on mixing Sinovac’s Covid-19 vaccine with Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine and it showed promising results as well.
Dr Yii noted the studies in Thailand showed higher neutralising antibody levels against the Delta variant with a Pfizer booster for recipients double-vaccinated with Sinovac compared to an AstraZeneca booster.
“While I understand some concerns that have been expressed by citizens, I strongly do encourage people to consider the benefits and extra protection it provides.
“If in any doubt, you can always double-check with your local doctor,” he said in a press statement today.
Dr Yii added the government should also increase distribution of material to educate and share the benefits of vaccination to the public to remove the high level of hesitancy especially when it comes to heterologous vaccination as the people’s concern should not be taken lightly.
Dr Yii said if the government does not provide sufficient resources for people to check, they will end up reading unverified news which may spread half-truths and even lies when it comes to vaccination.
“That is why efforts to educate and encourage people to come out to be vaccinated again must be doubled to make sure no one gets left behind in order to get optimum protection from the virus,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Yii received the Pfizer Covid-19 booster shot at Parliament yesterday.
He disclosed that the effects he experienced was just a sore-arm on the site of injection and mild muscle lethargy. — DayakDaily
