The Malaysia Ministry of Health just updated its COVID-19 booster dose policy, and will now offer walk-in booster dose at all KKM hospitals and clinics!
Malaysia COVID-19 Booster Dose Policy : 4 Jan 2023!
On 31 December 2022, KKM updated its first and second booster dose policy, in light of new Omicron subvariants, and a potential wave of infections by travellers from China.
First Booster Dose
Adolescents who are 12 to 17 years old can get their first booster dose as early as six months after finishing their primary series COVID-19 vaccinations.
Adults who are 18 years and older can get theirs earlier – as early as three months after finishing their primary series COVID-19 vaccinations.
| Criteria | Interval |
| 18 Years or older | At least 3 months after finishing primary series |
| 12-17 Years Old | At least 6 months after finishing primary series |
Second Booster Dose
Adults who are 18 years and older, but do not have any health problems, can now receive their second booster dose, as early as six months after receiving their first booster dose.
Adults with co-morbidities, senior citizens, residents of long-term care facilities, as well as frontline health care workers and pregnant or nursing mothers can receive theirs earlier – as early as four months after receiving their first booster dose.
| Criteria | Interval |
| 18 Years or older with high-risk health problems |
At least 4 months after 1st booster dose |
| 50 years or older | |
| Long-term care facility resident | |
| Frontline Health Care Worker | |
| Pregnant / Nursing Mother | |
| 18 Years or older without health problems |
At least 6 months after 1st booster dose |
Should You Get Them?
It is recommended that you get these booster doses to better protect against more contagious COVID-19 variants like the many Omicron variants.
The primary series of COVID-19 vaccines continues to protect you against hospitalisation and death. However, the Omicron variants are particularly evasive, and will cause more breakthrough infections.
While most of these breakthrough infections will be mild or moderate, it puts vulnerable people – the elderly and people with co-morbidities – at risk. That’s why they are being given the booster shot first, over everyone else.
In addition, antibody protection from COVID-19 vaccines has been shown to wane over 2-6 months, so booster doses are necessary to restore optimal protection.
Think of booster doses as extra training camps for your immune system (army). Sure, it already learned how to fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus after going through boot camp (primary series vaccines), but it is always a good idea to give your “army” more training!
Read more : What Should You Do Before / During / After Your Booster Dose?
Malaysia COVID-19 Booster Dose Available By Walk-In
From 9 January 2023 onwards, the Malaysia Ministry of Health will offer vulnerable groups the option to physically walk-in and receive their booster doses at all KKM hospitals and clinics nationwide.
These individuals will not need to arrange for an appointment to get their COVID-19 booster doses.
Criteria
- Individuals with an existing co-morbidity, including chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
- Senior citizens, who are 60 years or older
- Individuals who are at risk of developing severe disease or complications from COVID-19 infections (e.g. immunocompromised patients, cancer patients, etc.)
When + Where
Start date : From 9 January 2023 onwards
Locations : KKM hospitals or health clinics (Klinik Kesihatan)
Time : According to the hospital / clinic’s normal operating hours
Those who do not qualify are still eligible for the free COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. You just need to get an appointment at the nearest public or private hospital / clinic registered under ProtectHealth for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
Read more : Sinovac Vaccine Efficacy Rapidly Drops After 2 Months!
Malaysia COVID-19 Booster Dose Program History
Malaysia started the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose programme on 13 October 2021, targeting those who received the Pfizer vaccine more than 6 months ago.
It was then expanded to those who received the Sinovac vaccine more than 3 months ago, on 22 October 2021.
On 9 November 2021, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) announced that it would be made available to younger adults.
On 24 November 2021, KKM announced that it will be open to anyone above 18, including those who received AstraZeneca, Cansino, Sinopharm and Janssen vaccines.
On 16 December 2021, KKM made it mandatory for vulnerable individuals to receive the booster shot, to be considered as fully-vaccinated.
On 28 December 2021, KKM halved the booster dose interval for most COVID-19 vaccines!
On 21 March 2022, KKM added the CanSino booster shot to the PICK vaccination programme, and updated its booster dose recommendations.
On 14 April 2022, KKM started to offer a second booster shot using the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
On 4 January 2023, KKM updated its booster dose policy, and will now offer walk-in booster dose at all KKM hospitals and clinics.
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