KUCHING, April 25: Individuals aged 60 and above with high-risk comorbidities must get their first Covid-19 booster shot at least four to six months before taking the second booster shot.
Those eligible are those with chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease and vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease, diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, severe mental illness as well as individuals with body mass index of or lower than 40 kg/m2.
However, those who have completed the first booster shot and were infected with Covid-19 can only receive the second booster shot after a three-month interval following full recovery.
On the other hand, healthy individuals aged 60 and above should consult a medical practitioner for consideration if they wish to take a second booster shot.
These were among the eligibility criteria outlined by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for administering the second booster shot.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said individuals who meet the above criteria will receive a booking link in stages starting April 22 via the MySejahtera application.
From there, they can book an appointment at the Vaccination Centers (PPV) listed.
“Individuals who are currently under treatment in a government hospital or in a private hospital that has been operating as a vaccination centre (PPV) may be given a second booster dose opportunistically.
“For government hospitals or private hospitals that do not operate as PPVs, the treating specialist must perform a pre-vaccination assessment (PVA) and then refer to a nearby government hospital or private hospital operating as a PPV,” he said in a statement dated April 22.
Eligible individuals can also come in on a walk-in basis at any operating PPVs. If necessary, the medical officer will make a PVA and refer them to a nearby government hospital or private hospital operating as a PPV.
Meanwhile, elderly care centres can apply for the administration of the second booster shot at the nearest District Health Office. — DayakDaily
