MANY Sinovac vaccine recipients and elderly people are still not getting their booster shots even though this would cause them to lose their fully vaccinated status on April 1, ProtectHealth Corp Sdn Bhd CEO Dr Anas Alam Faizli said.

He said there was no sign of an increase in bookings for booster jabs despite numerous reminders from the government.

A booster shot is necessary if one does not wish to lose one’s fully vaccinated status. The deadline for the booster shot was initially February 28 but that was extended to March 31.

“On February 24, this was extended to April 1. We saw an upward trend after the announcement (but) it has been tapering,” Anas told The Malaysian Insight.

Last week, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said about two million Sinovac vaccine recipients are set to lose their fully vaccinated status on April 1.

The ministry announced in December last year that Sinovac recipients and people aged 60 and more must get a third shot to be considered fully vaccinated.

Boosters for primary Sinovac recipients were recommended last year following the emergence of Omicron as well as guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), after studies indicated a reduced vaccine efficacy rate against the virus variant.

Initially, those who were inoculated with Sinovac were told to get a booster dose of a different brand as studies showed the Chinese vaccine to be less effective.

However, following hesitancy, the government decided to allow primary Sinovac recipients to get a Sinovac booster.

Last week Anas said booster dose appointments could now be made via MySejahtera.

Recipients may choose their preferred vaccination centres as well as the time of the appointment.

Anas said a third dose would be considered a booster regardless of when it was taken.

The CovidNow website showed more than 15.6 million people, or 66.6%, of the adult population in the country have received a third shot as of March 28.

More than 22.9 million, 97.5% of the adult population have been fully vaccinated.

Starting April 1, Malaysia will allow quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated travellers.

Those who have not been boosted will face restrictions when they lose their fully vaccinated status.

Both the Malaysian and Singapore governments have agreed that Sinovac recipients must get three vaccine doses to maintain their fully vaccinated status.

Other privileges these groups of people will lose is the option to dine out, gain admission to some places and travel to other states. – March 30, 2022.