KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not make it mandatory for people to obtain Covid-19 vaccine booster shots, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister said the booster shots will be offered to groups deemed to be high risk - such as the elderly, the immunocompromised, or healthcare workers - but it will not be compulsory.

       “We will not force it on them, but we will highly recommend that these groups come and get their booster doses six months after they have received their second vaccination doses.

       “This is because we found there is a waning immune response from vaccines that have been given,” said Khairy at a press conference at Hospital Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Oct 7).

       Khairy also said that a person’s vaccination status will not be affected if they do not get booster shots.

       “If you are fully vaccinated, your status remains so. A booster dose, or lack of, will not affect your status as a fully vaccinated person,” said Khairy.

       Malaysia has started giving out booster jabs this month, with the initiative kicking off in Sarawak.