PEOPLE who took their first Covid-19 booster shot more than six months ago are advised to get a second shot now.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this in view of a spike in infections in China, which has scrapped its zero-Covid policy and allowed its citizens to travel starting next week.

She said there is no need to wait for the bivalent vaccine.

“The existing monovalent vaccines are still very effective in reducing serious symptoms and cases of death,” Zaliha said in a statement.

She said only 49.8% of Malaysians have had a booster dose and 1.9% their second.

She added that the Chinese virus variant has been detected in Malaysia, but did not name it.

A sub-variant of Omicron, called BF.7, is driving the spike in China’s cases.

PAS has demanded that government bars  travellers from China.

Party information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the government should pay close attention to Covid-19 case numbers in countries that have received tourists from China.

Arrivals from China are required to undergo temperature checks.

Zaliha has urged the elderly and people with comorbidities who fall within the high-risk group to get the booster shots, which will be available for walk-ins at public clinics and hospitals from January 9.

“(The jabs are available to) people with comorbidities, including chronic illnesses; the elderly aged 60 and above, and individuals who are displaying symptoms and Covid-19 complications,” the health minister said. – January 2, 2023.