Individuals aged 18 and above are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots in Malaysia

Previously, COVID-19 booster shots were limited to individuals 18 years and older with comorbidities.

In an announcement made by Malaysia's COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force-Booster (CITF-B), Malaysians can walk into any private vaccination centre (PPV) nationwide to register on the waiting list for their COVID-19 booster shot, starting from 22 November 2021. As of 25 November (Thursday), this Booster proogramme has now been expanded to include all individuals who are aged 18 and above.

Meanwhile, walk-in registrations are also open for adolescents between the ages of 12-17 who have not yet completed their vaccination regime.

With all individuals above 18 now eligible for boosters, the following groups can avail of walk-in facility to get themselves immunised:

• Individuals eligible for booster doses;
• Individuals who wish to get an injection in advance before an appointment;
• Individuals who have not yet received the first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine;
• Individuals who missed a vaccination appointment, and
• Adolescents between the ages of 12-17 who have not completed their vaccinations.

Meanwhile, the following continue to remain groups to whom priority will be given:

1. Health, safety, and defence frontline personnel;
2. Individuals aged 40 years and above;
3. Individuals 18 years and older with comorbidities;
4. Residents and staff at long-term health centres;
5. Pregnant women, and
6. Individuals who need to travel overseas.

On that note, the CITF-B also recommended a list of seven vaccines for COVID-19 booster shot, as well as the respective timeline to abide by to administer the shots.

• For instance, individuals who had Comirnaty (Pfizer) as their primary vaccine series are recommended to have their booster shot six months after the second dose. The vaccine for booster shot should be kept between Cominarty (Pfizer), or AstraZeneca.
• Those who, on the other hand, had CoronaVac (Sinovac), should get their booster shot three months after the second dose, and vaccine for booster should be kept between Cominarty (Pfizer), AstraZeneca, or CoronaVac (Sinovac).

Image / Malaysia's Ministry of Health (MOH) Facebook

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