PETALING JAYA: While the elderly are particularly vulnerable to complications from the coronavirus, vaccination has helped in keeping the number of Covid-19 infections among senior citizens low.

       Dr Yau Weng Keong (pic), who is head of geriatric services at the Health Ministry, said that during the Delta-induced wave of infections in July last year, hundreds of Covid-19 patients were stranded in the Emergency Department due to patient overload.

       There were also outbreaks at care homes for the aged during the period when physicians had to go down to the facilities to administer treatment.

       “That was how severe things were at that time,” said Dr Yau, who is also the head of Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s (HKL) Medical Department.

       However, he said that although the number of daily cases during the current wave of infections is in the 20,000 range, the spike is very slow and the hospitals are not bursting at their seams.

       “That is the thing I can see clearly and the vaccine helps so much,” he told The Star.

       As of yesterday, there were 44 elderly patients at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital, where most of the senior citizens in the Klang Valley were admitted to and 13% of them were in Category 4.

       At HKL’s main block, 62% of the 129 adult Covid-19 patients were elderly. Of that number, 37% were in Category 4 and 20% were unvaccinated.

       Dr Yau noted that in the current Omicron-induced wave of infections, most senior citizens who get admitted are those with comorbidities.

       He reiterated that the infection among those who have received their booster shots is very mild and mostly asymptomatic.

       Vaccine hesitancy among senior citizens, he said, stems from misinformation.

       “More engagement should be held with those who are still apprehensive about the shot to alleviate their hesitancy

       “The elderly should seek the advice of medical practitioners instead of buying into unverified sources of information.”

       On severe side effects following the booster shot, Dr Yau said some of these could be linked to a pre-existing condition.

       He said long Covid rehabilitation among the elderly takes longer.

       “Some patients who were previously able to move around prior to their Covid-19 infection have lost their mobility.

       “Based on my observation, it takes a long time for these patients to get back on their feet.”

       However, despite the elderly making up a high percentage of long Covid cases, the number is not as high as it used to be during the peak of the Delta wave, he pointed out.

       As at March 16, a total of 3,356,253 or 92% of senior citizens have completed their Covid-19 vaccination while 2,489,718 or 74.2% have received their booster.

       Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said yesterday that the Covid-19 fatality rate among the elderly, especially those who have yet to complete their vaccination or receive a booster shot, is higher than other age groups.

       “This is due to a weakened immune system, chronic diseases as well as a slower and complicated recovery process,” he said in a statement.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had earlier advised senior citizens to get their booster shots for their self-protection as the Ramadan season draws closer.

       He said getting the vaccine is crucial because during the fasting month, many senior citizens will perform terawih prayers at mosques.