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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines is recommended for these groups of individuals:
- Adults aged 50 and above
- Individuals aged 12 years old and above who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
The four COVID-19 vaccination doses for adults consist of:
- 2 primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine
- 1st booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- 2nd booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Here’s what you need to know about the fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose in Malaysia.
Are Malaysians getting a fourth COVID-19 vaccination dose?
According to the findings on Technical Working Group reviewed scientific studies and Malaysian cohort studies, individuals aged 60 years old and above with co-morbidities such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes are at higher risk of severe symptoms and death due to COVID-19.
Hence, the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia has announced that adults above 60 years old can receive their second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after their first booster dose.
The following groups of individuals are eligible for the second booster shot at least 6 months after their first dose:
- Frontliners
- Adults aged 18-59 years old with co-morbidities
- Healthy individuals aged 50-59 years, if they opt for it
Adolescents aged 12-17 who are immunocompromised and at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for the first booster dose at least 3 months after the last dose. They are also eligible for the 2nd booster dose at least 4 to 6 months after the first dose.
Is the fourth COVID-19 vaccination compulsory and will it affect our vaccination status?
The fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccination is not compulsory and it will not affect your vaccination status if you choose not to go ahead with the fourth dose.
Make an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals
Please consult your doctor for more information on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines.
To make an appointment for health screening, please contact the health screening centre at the Gleneagles Hospital nearest to you.References
- https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/vaksin-covid-19/pick-dos-penggalak/semasa/2022/05/dos-penggalak-covid-19-kedua-untuk-semua-individu-berumur-60-tahun-ke-atas-dan-sewasa-serta-remaja-berisiko-tinggi
- https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/vaksin-covid-19/pick-dos-penggalak/semasa/2022/06/syor-terkini-pemberian-dos-tambahan-dan-dos-penggalak-vaksin-covid-19
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html
- https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/vaksin-covid-19#