Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today advised the seven million Malaysians who have yet to receive their booster shot against Covid-19 to do so immediately following the rise in the number of new cases.
He said although the booster dose is not mandatory, it is still vital not only in view of the uptrend in new cases, but also to help fight new variants of the virus, especially the Omicron BA.5 variant.
“It is not mandatory, but I would like to advise those who have yet to take the booster dose to immediately take it to protect themselves from infection. If they are having the symptoms, go see a doctor,” he said.
Ismail, who is also the Bera MP, was speaking to reporters after the Korban Perdana programme and witnessing the sacrificial rites in conjunction with Aidiladha at Darul Fikri Mosque in Bera.
Asked if there were plans to reopen large-scale vaccination centres to facilitate those who have yet to take the booster dose, he said it is up to the health ministry.
Ismail also said the government has no plan to close the economic sectors despite the increase in the number of new cases.
“Life will go on as usual, but we need to take proactive measures to protect ourselves and our families, including taking the booster dose,” he said. – FMT