PETALING JAYA: Foreign news reports have emerged about the possible need for a fourth Covid-19 vaccine jab but doctors here are non-committal, saying that such talk is “premature”.

       “It is premature for Malaysia to focus on the necessity of a fourth dose,” said Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Koh Kar Chai.

       He said more data would be coming in the near future that would be a guide on the need for future doses of the vaccine.

       Furthermore, he explained that Malaysia was in the midst of administering the third dose as a booster in a bid to prepare the nation for a possible wave of Omicron infection.

       “We still have some way to go to complete this exercise,” he said.

       “Even though the United Kingdom Health Security Agency has mentioned that a fourth dose of the vaccine is not necessary as it has been shown that protection against hospitalisation among those aged 65 and over remained at about 90% even around three months after receiving the third dose, it is premature for us in Malaysia to focus on the necessity of a fourth dose,” he added.

       On Friday, British health officials stated that booster jabs were providing high levels of protection for the elderly against severe disease from the Omicron variant, which meant that there is no need for people to have a fourth jab, for now.

       Universiti Sains Malaysia virology scientist Dr Muhammad Amir Yunus said the third jab, which is the booster shot, might stimulate stronger and durable humoral response for those 65 years old and above as compared to younger age groups.

       “Therefore, the third jab may provide a more long-lasting effect,” he said.

       Thus, Dr Muhammad Amir said that having a booster shot was sufficient for the time being as research had shown that the Omicron would mainly cause mild to moderate symptoms, if not asymptomatic.

       However, he added that the administering of a fourth shot would depend on the country’s authority.

       The authorities would have done a risk assessment on the current development before making any decision, he said.

       “Similarly, in Malaysia, I believe the authorities are doing a risk assessment.

       “Any decision made should be tailored to our current situation,” he said.

       For ordinary folk like retired teacher Bernard Chew who recently received his booster jab, he is happy that the shot is currently sufficient to protect him against existing variants.

       “I believe life has to go on and we cannot solely depend on vaccines to stay safe and healthy.

       “We have to do our part by exercising regularly and eating well to keep our immune system strong,” said Chew, 66.

       Lawyer S. Natasha, 33, welcomed the news that people might not need to have a fourth shot after getting their booster jabs, especially for the elderly.

       “As someone with parents above the age of 60, hearing that they may need multiple booster shots makes me worried,” she said.

       She said her parents had ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure.

       “This puts them at a higher risk due to other health issues.

       “Although the vaccine is important, it is odd that they need boosters so soon after being fully vaccinated.

       “If it is not necessary and compulsory, I think it is best they stop with the one booster they have been given recently,” she said.