PETALING JAYA: Booster shots and third doses for Covid-19 vaccines should only be rolled out after 90% of adults and 100% of students have been vaccinated, says MCA.

       Party publicity bureau deputy chairman Wong Siew Mun said the overall vaccination rate for adolescents should be ramped up as the majority of the adult population had been vaccinated.

       "After achieving 80% vaccination among the adult population, the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme must continue for those aged between 12 and 17. This should be prioritised," said Wong.

       Speaking at a virtual press conference on Saturday (Oct 2), Wong said that the administration of a third dose was of a higher priority than a booster dose.

       She added that it was only right that the plan come after everyone had been vaccinated.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced recently that Sarawak would administer Covid-19 vaccine booster shots from October, making it the first state in the country to do so.

       He said the ministry was drawing up clinical guidelines on administering the vaccine booster shots, with emphasis on high-risk groups, such as those aged 60 and up and those with severe comorbidities.

       Khairy had also explained earlier that there was a distinction between the third dose and a booster shot.

       "The third dose is given to those who may not have gotten the level of protection they need from the first two doses and they require a third dose to achieve an optimum immune response," said Khairy.

       "Booster shots are given to those who have enough immune response after receiving two doses, however their vaccine response is slowly waning," he added.

       He added that the priority recipients of the third dose would be high-risk groups such as health frontliners, the immuno-compromised, the elderly with comorbidities and individuals living or working in long-term care facilities.

       On this, Wong said that the government needed to clarify its plans for the third dose.

       "Will brand mixing be practised? Which vaccine will be used? How will the vaccination programme continue? This information should be made clear and simple to understand to prepare the people for the next step," she said.

       Wong said the government should rope in private clinics and the Defence Ministry to work together to administer the shots.

       "MCA also suggests that private hospitals and clinics be given permission to purchase vaccines and provide booster shot services with a ceiling price set by the government," she added.

       To prevent confusion, Wong said MCA also suggested having specific vaccination centres (PPV) solely for third doses.

       "This will make it easier for the Health Ministry to arrange and coordinate the rollout of the third dose," she added.