KUALA LUMPUR: Between 30% to 40% of those who have completed their vaccination process are wary of getting their booster dose, says Datuk Ago Anak Dagang.

       "As of Nov 30, the total number of those who have received their booster doses is 2,458,510 or 10.83% of the adult population.

       "Sarawak has the highest with 648,885 recipients who have had their booster dose," the Deputy Health Minister said when replying to a supplementary question raised by Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (IND-Tebrau) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday. (Dec 3)

       On Choong's suggestion to make booster doses mandatory, Ago said;

       "We cannot not make the booster dose compulsory. It is similar to the earlier vaccination programme which was also voluntary."

       However, he said that the ministry would step up efforts to get more people to go for their booster dose in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant.

       Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) suggested the ministry carry out media awareness campaigns to encourage more people to get their booster shots.

       "The Health Ministry officials and Cabinet ministers who have taken their booster dose should do it publicly though media events to encourage others to do so," he said.