KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has enough Covid-19 vaccines available amid a surge in reported infections, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said today.
“Our vaccine stocks are sufficient (for) those who wish to get their booster shots and vaccination jabs.
“We have enough stock for now, especially for individuals who are considered high-risk and with comorbidities,” Radzi said at a press conference alongside Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today.
Dr Radzi also said the ministry is working on securing more supplies of Pfizer’s monovalent Covid-19 vaccines.
“Regarding our Pfizer stocks, we are still in the procurement process, considering the new monovalent versions. This is a process that will take some time, it’s also difficult (to secure) supplies at this point in time.
“However, with the vaccine stocks that we have now, we believe that it’s effective enough to protect the people from the circulating the Covid-19 virus,” he added.
Those wanting booster shots can walk in to their preferred health centres or arrange an appointment via MySejahtera, Dr Radzi also said.
These announcements are in anticipation of an uptick in cases in coming weeks, in line with a global trend and from year-end holidays and travelling.
“We’re foreseeing that there will be an increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases. This is part of the global phenomenon where all countries are seeing increased cases.
“What we have learned from our past experiences with the Covid-19 virus is that whenever there’s a surge in cases, it will probably end within four to six weeks, depending on several factors,” Dr Radzi said.
Dr Dzulkefly meanwhile, said public and private healthcare facilities are prepared to handle any surge in Covid-19 cases and are on standby to mobilise frontliners in the event of a patient influx.
“The ministry is closely monitoring hospital capacities through our bed management unit and the surge-capacity planning. We know how to mobilise (healthcare facilities),” the minister said.
“Our hospitals’ preparedness will encompass four issues, namely ensuring an excess (of healthcare facilities), sustainability of treatment, managing treatment before hospital admission and emergencies related to Covid-19.”
Malaysia is now in an endemic state of Covid-19, he added, but the spread of infections remains under control without burdening healthcare facilities, he added.
As such, the ministry has no plans for a return of the Movement Control Order (MCO) that was enforced in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
“We are aware that the nation is facing a surge of Covid-19 cases, but for the time being, we will not have a repeat of the MCO,” Dr Dzulkefly said, acknowledging concerns on the possibility of lockdowns.
For the epidemiological week from December 10 to 16, the number of Covid-19 cases recorded a 62.2% increase to 20,696 infections.
Out of the reported number of cases, 97% exhibited mild symptoms and did not require hospitalisation while 151 cases required ICU treatment, among which 96 patients were provided with respiratory assistance.
A total of 28 deaths were also recorded, with a majority of the fatalities involving senior citizens who had comorbidities. – December 18, 2023