NEW directives for Covid-19 booster jabs may be issued soon, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.

He said this was particularly true for those who are vulnerable to complications from the virus.

Dzulkefly said currently the take-up rate for the second Covid-19 vaccine booster stands at 54% while the rate for the third booster is “quite low”.

“Perhaps in a little while, the ministry may issue some directives for boosters, especially for those in the vulnerable groups,” he was quoted as telling the media today following the ministry’s monthly assembly.

Yesterday, Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said 12,757 Covid-19 cases were reported between December 3 and 9 (ME49) compared with 6,796 cases the previous week.

He said although the number of cases have nearly doubled, the situation was still under control and has not burdened health facilities.

Radzi advised the public to take preventive measures such as maintaining optimal personal hygiene, wearing a mask if symptomatic and getting a Covid-19 booster jab.

He said most local cases presented mild symptoms and did not require hospital treatment.

“The rate of Covid-19 admissions (including suspected cases) to healthcare facilities for the use of non-critical beds and intensive care unit beds each rose to 1.4% in ME49.

“The rate of Covid-19 patients requiring respiratory aid also rose to 0.5% and the overall fatality rate from January 25 to December 9 was 0.72%,” he said in a statement today.

Radzi said Covid-19 cases were rising globally, coinciding with the year-end trend seen in other countries.

He said in ME49, 26 new cases of Omicron variants were reported, comprising 21 cases of variants of concern and five cases of variants of interest.

“So far, no new variants have been detected in Malaysia. The variants still circulating in Malaysia are Omicron subvariants XBB.1.16, XBB.1.5 and EG.5.

“Although these are known for their high infectivity, they do not cause severe infection,” he said. – December 14, 2023.