AstraZeneca and Sinovac get greenlight for COVID-19 vaccine booster shot in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has announced that the Drug Control Authority (DCA), under the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has given conditional approval for AstraZeneca and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines for booster shots. Prior to this, the NPRA has given conditional approval for Pfizer vaccines to be administered as booster for individuals who are fully vaccinated with Pfizer and Sinovac.

According to the statement, the approval for AstraZeneca and Sinovac (CoronaVac) booster is for individuals aged 18 years old and above who have received two shots of the same vaccine. Individuals who have been fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccines can get a third AstraZeneca shot 6 months after the second dose. Meanwhile, individuals who have been fully vaccinated with Sinovac can get the booster between 3 to 6 months after the second dose.

The administration details of AstraZeneca and Sinovac boosters will be announced by the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force for Boosters (CITF-B). According to the Ministry of Health, conditional approval was given based on the evaluation and assessment of the data on the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the vaccines.

As of 16th November, Malaysia has administered over 1.1 million booster shots. The booster program has been extended to individuals aged 40 years old and above as well as individuals with comorbidities. All fully vaccinated individuals will receive their booster shot appointment automatically and there’s no need to sign up again. For those who are planning to travel overseas for Umrah, work or studies may request to expedite their COVID-19 booster shot appointment via MySejahtera.

Eligible adults will soon be able to walk in to get their COVID-19 booster jab from 22nd November 2021 at selected vaccination centres under ProtectHealth. The walk-in vaccination will also be open to individuals who have yet to get vaccinated or have missed their previous appointments.

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