KUCHING, Nov 6: The Health Ministry (MOH) and Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority (DCA) should consider and speed up the granting of the conditional approval for the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to be used as booster doses.
The treasurer of Federation of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese Associations (Youth section) Aaron Tay Kok Tung said Sarawak was the first state to start giving the booster dose on Oct 13, prioritising those aged 60 and above, as well as medical officers and frontliners.
“Sarawak has been actively carrying out the booster dose programme where some of those below the age of 60 have also received their appointments for the third dose.
“However, we are aware that some who were inoculated with Sinovac vaccines (for their first two doses) are hesitant to receive the Pfizer vaccine as the booster dose or the ‘mix and match’ approach.
“They would rather postpone their vaccination appointment until (hoping) the government approves Sinovac as a booster dose,” he said in a statement today.
Tay said Pharmaniaga Bhd recently offered the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to the MOH to cater to those who prefer to take this brand of vaccine as their booster shot.
Therefore, he said, the MOH should look into the issue and expedite the approval process.
He also said according to Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian’s Facebook post on Oct 11, Sarawak has 140,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine available and stored in the fridge.
“These vaccines should be used as booster shots once it has been approved,” he said.
Tay stressed that it is necessary to ensure more people are vaccinated with the booster dose as to reduce Covid-19 infections and deaths, especially in Sarawak, where the state election is expected to be held anytime soon.
“We want to ensure the safety and health of everyone, particularly the voters, who will need to go out and vote.
“To date, some countries such as China, Turkey, Chile, Indonesia and Cambodia have approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine as a booster dose, which is proven safe.” – DayakDaily
