Got your first COVID-19 vaccine jab overseas? Here’s how to get the second dose in Malaysia

For those who have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose overseas, you can complete your vaccination by applying to receive the second dose in Malaysia. The special committee on ensuring access to the COVID-19 vaccine (JKJAV) has provided more details on the process.

To get an appointment for your second jab, you’ll have to call the Health Direct Office (PKD) based on your locality. You can find the list of Health District Offices here.

Individuals will need to present proof of vaccination for the first dose. This may include the vaccination card or certificate that’s issued by the country where you have received your first jab. Only after verification, the PKD will arrange to schedule the vaccination appointment via MySejahtera.

At the moment, Malaysia is mostly administering Pfizer, Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. Under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), the vaccine portfolio also includes CanSino Bio and Sputnik V, as well as Novavax and Johnson and Johnson vaccines through the COVAX facility. Apart from vaccines offered under the NIP, Malaysia’s health regulators have also approved Sinopharm and Moderna vaccines which are expected to be offered through the private market.

The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency is still evaluating both Sputnik V and Novavax vaccines.

The public is urged to complete their vaccination process in order to obtain optimal protection against COVID-19. Data has shown that most COVID-19 cases in category 3, 4 and 5 are people who have not been fully vaccinated. After fully vaccinating more than half of its population, both Sarawak and Labuan have recorded fewer hospitalisation and deaths due to COVID-19. Sarawak has been recording zero deaths for several days this month despite recording over 500 new cases.

For those who have gotten two-dose vaccines, you are only considered fully vaccinated 14 days after completing your second dose. For single-shot vaccines, you will only be counted as fully vaccinated 28 days after vaccination. Both Pfizer and Sinovac vaccines have a 3-week interval between each dose, while AstraZeneca has a longer interval of 9 weeks.

[ SOURCE 2 ]