PETALING JAYA: Individuals who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will enjoy more benefits, says Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The Health director-general said this during a joint press conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba on Friday (July 23), adding that countries with a fully vaccinated population of around 30% and 40% would normally start relaxing certain restrictions.
"It's not a full opening but certain restrictions can be lifted. For example, the sports sectors like tennis and badminton, those who have gotten their second jabs and have passed the two-week period can do training or such.
"If you look at the health sector, even though infections still occur in those that have been fully vaccinated, infections are only around 1.59%. And those are mainly Categories One and Two cases," he said.
Dr Adham said the Prime Minister will announce the "benefits of vaccination" for fully vaccinated people soon.
"As of now, around 21% of the population have received their second dose and we have passed the 10% vaccination threshold to move from Phase One to Two. To enter Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), we need 40% of the population to receive both jabs but some places have already exceeded that target.
"We have suggested that some allowances be granted to those who have received their second dose and have passed the two-week period. This will be announced by the Prime Minister soon," he said.
On current infection statistics, Dr Adham said serious cases among those aged 60 and above have dropped following vaccinations.
"Data shows that since they got their vaccinations when the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme started, there has been a significant drop in Categories Four and Five cases from that age group," he said.
For Covid-19 patients, Category One is asymptomatic; Category Two has mild symptoms; Category Three has pneumonia; Category Four requires oxygen; and Category Five needs respiratory assistance.