ASAJAYA: A proper study must be conducted into the need for a booster shot against Covid-19 prior to its implementation, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He hoped that relevant agencies would study the importance of getting a third jab as well as its pros and cons.
He pointed out that there might not be a need for the additional dose in the state as most of the current Covid-19 cases in Sarawak were in the low-risk categories, namely categories 1 and 2.
“If there is a need, yes. If there is no need, then no. We don’t have to waste money when there is no need to do so,” he said after officiating at the Asajaya Community Policing Programme at the Asajaya District Office yesterday (Sept 20).
Abdul Karim pointed out that Sarawak had done a commendable job by being the state with the highest vaccination rates for the first and second doses.
“Although our positive daily cases look high, 99.9 percent are in categories 1 and 2.
“I believe the number of cases will decrease as the current situation improves,” he said.
Abdul Karim added that studies and comparisons with the Covid-19 situations in other countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Singapore should also be done.
“For example in the UK, it seems that everything is okay after the people there received their two doses of vaccine.
“In fact, we can see that the football stadiums are always full on the weekends and no one is required to wear a mask,” he pointed out, adding that the Europeans also received similar types of vaccines as Malaysia, namely, Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.
“So why do we need a third dose? This is why we need a more in-depth study on this matter,” he added.
