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Showing posts with label Khairy Jamaluddin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khairy Jamaluddin. Show all posts

Saturday, November 5, 2022

Mask up with new Covid-19 wave sweeping nation

PETALING JAYA: People should keep their face masks on in crowded and enclosed areas as the new Covid-19 wave sweeps the nation, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy said the public should remain vigilant and adhere to the TRIIS method – Test, Report, Isolate, Inform and Seek – should they be infected.

He also said the drug Paxlovid would be given to high-risk patients.

“Covid-19 cases have reached nearly 4,000 today (Thursday), with about 96% belonging to Category 1 and 2.

“We are experiencing a wave of infections. Whether the wave is big or small depends on our actions,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.

Prior to this, Khairy had said the nation was experiencing a small wave of Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron XBB subvariant.

On Monday (Oct 31) , he said that Covid-19 infections due to the XBB subvariant were expected to go up in the next few weeks – to between 3,000 and 5,000 daily cases – with the crest of the wave coinciding with the 15th General Election.

He reminded the public to be careful, especially with the country entering the campaign period for GE15.

Khairy also encouraged frontline staff, including Election Commission employees who will be on duty during GE15, to get a second booster vaccine dose. 

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Malaysians told to mask up as new Covid-19 wave hits the nation
ahead of GE2022
  

 

 

The latest global numbers on the Coronavirus outbreak
 
 
 MALAYSIA
 

 
 
 SINGAPORE
 
 

 
 

 Republic of Korea = SOUTH KOREA



USA






CHINA

World faces risk of combined epidemic of influenza and COVID-19 in the coming winter: top Chinese epidemiologists.

Zhong Nanshan Photo: VCG

The world still faces the risk of a combined pandemic of COVID-19 and influenza, especially this winter, Zhong Nanshan, top Chinese respiratory diseases expert, said on Tuesday in The World Flu Day 2022 Symposium that more efforts are needed to tackle the scientific problems of influenza prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Both COVID-19 and influenza viruses are respiratory viruses, and respiratory virus infections tend to have a short incubation period, rapid and wide spread, strong transmission, high incidence, and are difficult to control," Zhong pointed out. Once the epidemic caused by respiratory viruses breaks out, it often leads to serious public health crisis, and then becomes the focus of the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the world.

At the conference, Dong Chen, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, also said that the world still faces a high risk of overlapping epidemics of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza and COVID-19, and the prevention of that still has a long way to go.

"Since June, there has been a new outbreak of avian influenza in Europe and an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 infection in birds in the US, with a very high risk of spillover into humans. So the combination of influenza and COVID-19 is a very big challenge for us this winter and next spring," Gao Fu, former head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, also warned that the current level of COVID-19 vaccination is gradually increasing, but the flu vaccination rate is generally low.

Due to COVID-19 prevention and control measures, data over the past two years have shown that influenza prevalence level has remained low. But things are gradually changing.

As COVID-19 flares up in several places across China with total daily cases nearing 3,000, many localities, including Central China's Henan and South China's Guangdong, are stepping up efforts to contain the virus and resume work and life as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, 465 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide. As Tuesday, 31 Chinese provinces, regions and municipalities have reported 4,854 confirmed cases.

Zhang Wenqing, Director of WHO Global Influenza Programme, said in the conference that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza situation was very weak around the world, but the change occurred in the second half of 2021. The data showed an increase in influenza virus activity in many countries, both in the northern and southern hemispheres.

"In some countries in the southern hemisphere, influenza virus is more active than it was before the COVID-19 outbreak," Zhang said. This points to the important question of whether the northern hemisphere will see the same seasonal flu spike as the southern hemisphere.

Talking about the reasons for this change, Gao said one possible reason is that in the past three years, public health measures have been implemented globally, which has caused the overall population to have a weak immunity to influenza viruses. Some countries have relaxed their public health policies recently, making it more likely that new strains will emerge, Gao warned. At the same time, the low rate of influenza vaccination also causes the situation that the influenza virus is easy to spread.

As for how to effectively deal with this crisis, scholars from different regions and countries, such as Russia and the UK, agreed that the experience of COVID-19 prevention and control is worth learning, for example, the development of rapid and accessible diagnostic methods may play a crucial role in the prevention and control of influenza epidemic.

Zhong believes that basic research and clinical research have important scientific and practical significance in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of respiratory viruses. The COVID-19 epidemic has promoted basic research on pathogenesis and accelerated the development of rapid clinical diagnostic methods, and provided an important basis for the clinical practice of epidemic prevention and control and the judgment of disease prognosis.

In recent years, China has made a series of landmark achievements in respiratory virus research, Dong added.

Basic research has made progress in respiratory viruses, etiology, structural biology, immunology, and cross-species and so on, and formed a good technical reserve, which can provide guidance for the prevention and control strategy of influenza, Dong said.

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As winter approaches, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday stressed the importance of staying vigilant as cases 

 

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Take second boosters

New Covid-19 infection wave may emerge sooner than forecast

Senior citizens and individuals with chronic illnesses have been reminded to take their second Covid-19 booster shots as a potential new Covid-19 infection wave may emerge sooner than forecast, says the Health Minister.

Khairy Jamaluddin said this was based on the number of cases reported in recent days both here and across the Causeway.

“Over the past two to three days we have been reporting more than 2,000 cases a day against 1,000 and 2,000 previously.

“Today (Thursday), we have 2,796 cases with two new clusters reported at institutions of higher learning.

“So if we are not cautious, the cases will keep on increasing in the coming weeks,” he told reporters after officially opening the otorhinolaryngology centre and sleep lab at Hospital Rembau.

On Tuesday, Khairy said Covid-19 cases would fluctuate and a potential new infection wave might emerge in the next few months, despite the current situation being under control.

He said Malaysians ought to know the latest developments so that they can take preventive measures against contracting the virus.


Young patients: Khairy visiting a ward for children with hearing problems after officially opening the otorhinolaryngology centre and sleep lab at Hospital Rembau. — Bernama

“This is more of a preventive measure so that we are ready and not to scare anyone. In fact, other nations have faced a similar situation,” he said.

Khairy said what was important was that the new wave was not as contagious and that the number of deaths and admissions into intensive care units remained low.

He said all states except Selangor, Johor, Kedah and Terengganu have reported an increase in the number of cases compared with the previous day while two new higher education clusters have also been reported.

“It is also my hope that those above 60 and those with chronic illnesses will take the second booster shot as this is the best way to keep them safe,” he said.

As of June 20, almost 108,000 individuals aged 12 years and above have received their second Covid-19 booster jabs. About 58,000 were aged above 60.

Khairy said he was also closely following the Covid-19 situation in Singapore.

“I have to do so because Malaysia and Singapore are in the same epidemiological area with no travel restrictions and hundreds of thousands crossing the Causeway daily.

“My Singapore counterpart has also told me that the republic has been seeing more BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants which were more transmissible than earlier variants,” he said, adding that these variants, however, had the same effect as other Omicron variants. 

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Booster Shots and Additional Doses for COVID-19 Vaccines

The CDC has approved a second COVID-19 booster for people age 50 and older that can be given 4 months after a first booster. People with moderate to severe ..
 
 
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    More than 1,300 patients have recovered from Covid-19 with no side effects after taking Paxlovid, says health minister Khairy Jamal...
 
  PM announces additional assistance under Keluarga Malaysia package The B40 income group will receive additional cash assistance un...
 
 

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Covid-19 patients can get antiviral drug Paxlovid for Free

 

 

More than 1,300 patients have recovered from Covid-19 with no side effects after taking Paxlovid, says health minister Khairy Jamaluddin. (Reuters pic)

 

PETALING JAYA: The antiviral drug Paxlovid will be available for free to Covid-19 patients at private health facilities, says the Health Minister.

Khairy Jamaluddin said the drug has been available at these facilities since Monday, and his ministry had distributed the circulars and guidelines on the expansion and use of the drug to private healthcare on June 16.

ALSO READ: Covid-19: Over 1,300 patients recovered after Paxlovid treatment, says KJ

“The provision of the drug to patients at private health facilities is free. However, patients are still subject to consultation charges and other related charges determined by the private health facility,” he added.

Paxlovid is the first oral antiviral drug available in Malaysia that treats Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms or Categories 2 and 3.

Khairy said priority would be given to the high-risk group of Covid-19 patients.

ALSO READ: Covid-19: Over 1,300 patients recovered after Paxlovid treatment, says KJ

The use of the antiviral drug started in health facilities under the ministry on April 15.

Meanwhile, Khairy also said 107,844 individuals aged 12 and above had received their second Covid-19 booster jab as of Monday.

He added that 57,834 out of the total were individuals aged 60 and above.

ALSO READ: Covid-19: Health Ministry to prepare 3,000 courses of Paxlovid ahead of haj season

“We encourage senior citizens and individuals with chronic conditions to get the second booster. To date, we have not received any reports on severe side effects following the second booster shot,” he told a media conference after launching the ministry’s Hospital Directors Conference at a hotel here.

Covid-19 cases will fluctuate, and a potential new infection wave might emerge in the next few months, although the current situation is under control, said Khairy.

“Perhaps we can expect a new wave within the next two and three months, but the magnitude is still unknown.

“Based on epidemiological developments in other countries, a new wave could be ahead,” he added, encouraging high-risk individuals to be inoculated with the fourth Covid-19 vaccine shot.

ALSO READ: Covid-19: Paxlovid antiviral to be free, enough supply to treat 48,000 patients

Commenting on the rebooted immunisation programme for kids (PICKids), the minister said the decision was taken as the ministry found that there were children who had not received information on the previous immunisation programme.

“As PICKids was announced to be ending for those children above five years old, the ministry realised that there are pockets of the population which had not received information on Covid-19 vaccines.

“The ministry is now helping these groups get access to Covid-19 vaccination at its health clinics,” he added.

Khairy said that 397 kids were inoculated on the first day of the five-day campaign, of whom 150 had just turned five.

On Sunday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali announced PICKids would reopen from Monday until Friday in conjunction with the 2022 National Immunisation Week. 

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Paxlovid Now Available For Free In Private Hospitals

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Three months for booster shots for all Covid-19 vaccine after second dose of Pfizer, AZ, Sinovac, in view of high Omicron variant

 



` PETALING JAYA: Booster jabs for all Covid-19 vaccine recipients will now take place three months after they get their second shot following a decision by the Health Ministry to shorten the waiting period.

` More vaccination centres and clinics will also be opened to increase capacity.

` Previously, only Sinovac recipients got their booster shots 90 days after receiving their second dose while those on Pfizer and AstraZeneca had to wait 180 days.

` Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the Covid-19 booster shots for Pfizer and AstraZeneca recipients could now be shortened to three months.

` He said recent data showed that the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus could cause increased transmission of infections and had higher viral binding affinity and higher antibody escape than vaccine-induced immunity or natural infections.

` “Strong evidence has accumulated over the past three weeks indicating that a Covid-19 booster vaccine is possible to increase protection against Omicron variant infections,” he told reporters here yesterday.

` A technical working group, he added, had also evaluated the existing evidence and provided new recommendations on the administration of Covid-19 booster doses.

` “All seniors aged 60 and above, and all adults who have received both doses of their vaccines (from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac) are highly recommended to get their booster vaccine at least three months after receiving the primary vaccine.

` “Individuals with comorbidities, and residents and staff at healthcare centres will be given priority to receive the booster shots.

` “We will be using the age de-escalation approach for adults who have received two doses of their jabs, starting from 50 years and above, 40 years and above, and subsequently, 18 years and above.

 ` “Adults are expected to receive their booster shots in January and February and we will increase the capacity by opening more vaccination centres and private clinics,” he said.


` He added that heterologous vaccination – mixing vaccine types – was found to be safe and effective.

` “We will give priority to Pfizer and AstraZeneca as booster shots. However, we will look at an individual’s safety profile.

` “Sinovac will only be given to those who are contraindicated against Pfizer or AstraZeneca,” he said.

` The government, announced Khairy, would also lift the temporary travel restrictions against eight countries – South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

` “We will shift them from total ban to high-risk countries. However, we urge people to avoid any unnecessary travel to high-risk countries as the Omicron situation there is dangerous,” he said.

` Khairy said the Health Ministry was also considering taking action against the 1.4% of Covid-19 positive cases who violated the quarantine granted to them under the Surveillance and Observation Order between Dec 1 and 28.

` On another matter, he said the MySejahtera Trace (MySJ Trace) would use Bluetooth technology to allow easier close contact tracing with those who tested positive for Covid-19 in public areas.

` “It is highly recommended the public use this feature for their own safety.

` “To ensure the effectiveness of the feature, users are required to activate the Bluetooth on their devices when they are outside.

` “When a person is confirmed to be positive for Covid-19, a notification will appear through MySejahtera to request approval for the sharing of any close contact information that was detected.

` “Upon approval, MySejahtera will provide access to the Health Ministry to conduct a risk assessment on all the close contact data traced via Bluetooth before carrying out close contact tracing activities on identified individuals.

` “However, this will not take place if no approval is given by the individual and any close contact tracing will be done manually,” he said.


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Pfizer, AZ booster shots can be given at least three months after second dose, says Khairy 

Reduce the risks: Khairy, seen at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya, says the government urges people to avoid any unnecessary travel to high-risk countries as theOmicron situation there is dangerous. — Bernama 

 ` Reduce the risks: Khairy, seen at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya, says the government urges people to avoid any unnecessary travel to high-risk countries as theOmicron situation there is dangerous. — BernamaReduce the risks: Khairy, seen at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya, says the government urges people to avoid any unnecessary travel to high-risk countries as theOmicron situation there is dangerous. — Bernama
 

PETALING JAYA: Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine booster shots can be given at least three months after the second dose, says Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

` The Health Minister made the announcement on the shorter interval for Covid-19 booster shots during a press conference on Tuesday (Dec 28).

` The move to shorten the interval is similar to measures taken by other countries such as Germany and Australia, which are recommending shorter booster intervals in an attempt to stop the spread of new variants.

` Khairy added that following the discovery of a confirmed Omicron case in a man in Sarawak who has no history of recent travel abroad, it is very likely that Omicron is now in the community.

` He said recent data showed that Omicron variants could cause increased transmission of infection, higher viral binding affinity and higher antibody escape than vaccine-induced immunity or natural infections.

` "Strong evidence accumulated over the past three weeks indicate that a Covid-19 booster vaccine is possible to increase protection against Omicron variant infections.

` "Results initially involving 21 million booster doses administered in the United Kingdom have shown very convincing security data.

` "In line with that, regulatory bodies such as in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, as well as a panel of health experts are now recommending an interval for booster dose vaccination can be given as early as three months after receiving the primer vaccine," he said at a press conference on Tuesday (Dec 28).

` Khairy added that the technical working group has also evaluated the existing evidence and provided new recommendations on the administration of Covid-19 booster doses.

` "All seniors aged 60 and above and all adults who have received both doses of their vaccines (Pfizer, AZ and CoronaVac) are highly recommended to receive their booster vaccine at least three months after receiving the primary vaccine.

` "Individuals with comorbidities, residents and staff at health care centres will be given priority to receive the booster shots.

` "We will be using the age de-escalation approach for those who are 18 years old and above and have received two doses of their jabs, starting from 50 years and above, 40 years and above, and subsequently 18 years and above.

` "Adults will receive their booster shots in January and February next year and we will increase the capacity by opening more PPV and private clinics," he said, adding that Sinovac booster shots would only be given to those who were contraindicated against Pfizer or AZ.

` Furthermore, Khairy said the government would lift the temporary travel restrictions to eight countries namely South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

` "We will shift them from total ban to high risk countries.

` "However, we urge people to avoid any unnecessary travel to the high risk countries, as the Omicron situation in these countries are dangerous," he said.

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Friday, December 17, 2021

Covid-19: Sinovac recipients, those above 60 must get booster shots by February or have their status changed to 'incomplete', says KJ

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR: If you don't get your Covid-19 booster shot by February next year, your vaccination status may be deemed "incomplete", says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said the groups affected by this are those who received the Sinovac vaccine, as well as anyone who is above 60 years old.

"If these groups of individuals still have not gotten their booster shots after February 2022, their vaccination status will be changed to 'incomplete'," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 16).

He said those whose status has been changed to "incomplete" would not be able to enjoy the benefits of those who have been deemed to have completed their vaccinations.

He said individuals who must get their booster shots before the end of February next year are those who had taken the Sinovac vaccine.

He added that those above 60 years old, who had taken a vaccine irrespective of the type of vaccines, will also be required to take their booster shot.

Khairy said this was in line with a recommendation by the World Health Organisation's Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) advice.

He noted that the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force — Booster (CITF-B) had approved and adopted the recommendation on Dec 8.

At present, Khairy said that Comirnaty by Pfizer-BioNTech, CoronaVac by Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been approved for use for booster shots.

The Working Technical Committee, he added, had recommended that those above 18 should get their booster shots.

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No benefits without booster

 

Get your booster: Khairy speaking at a press conference in Parliament. With him is Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The vaccination status of those required to get their Covid-19 booster shot will be deemed “incomplete” if they fail to get their shots by February next year, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

“If these group of individuals still have not got their booster shots after February 2022, their vaccination status will be changed to ‘incomplete’,” the Health Minister told a press conference in Parliament yesterday.

He said those whose status has been changed to “incomplete” would not be able to enjoy the benefits of those who are deemed to have completed their vaccination.

Sinovac vaccine recipients are among those who must get booster shots by the February deadline.

Meanwhile, those above 60 years old, irrespective of vaccines type, will also be required to get their booster shot.

Khairy said this was in line with recommendation by the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE).

He added that the Covid-19 Immunisation Booster Task Force had approved and adopted the recommendation on Dec 8.

At present, Khairy said that the vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been approved for use as booster shots.

He added those above 18 should also get their booster shots.

Booster dosing started nationwide on Oct 13 for fully vaccinated individuals to ensure the immunity received after completing their doses can be maintained for an optimal period, especially against the Delta variant.

Last month, Khairy stressed that Malaysia could face a new wave of Covid-19 infections if the administration of booster doses was not accelerated.

In a tweet later yesterday, he said in line with the government’s effort to ramp up the booster shots vaccination drive, mega PPV (vaccination centres) will be reopened starting with the Klang Valley.

“All 60 and above or Sinovac recipients must get a booster latest by February 2022 to keep (their) fully vaccinated status.

“You will get your booster appointment on MySejahtera 180 days after the second dose (Pfizer or AstraZeneca) or 90 days after the second dose (Sinovac).

“You can also contact GPs near you at https://vaksincovid.protecthealth.com.my/find to register on the waiting list,” he said.
 

Covid-19: Sinovac recipients, those above 60 must get booster shots by February or have their status changed to 'incomplete', says KJ

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR: If you don't get your Covid-19 booster shot by February next year, your vaccination status may be deemed "incomplete", says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said the groups affected by this are those who received the Sinovac vaccine, as well as anyone who is above 60 years old.

"If these groups of individuals still have not gotten their booster shots after February 2022, their vaccination status will be changed to 'incomplete'," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 16).

He said those whose status has been changed to "incomplete" would not be able to enjoy the benefits of those who have been deemed to have completed their vaccinations.

He said individuals who must get their booster shots before the end of February next year are those who had taken the Sinovac vaccine.

He added that those above 60 years old, who had taken a vaccine irrespective of the type of vaccines, will also be required to take their booster shot.

Khairy said this was in line with a recommendation by the World Health Organisation's Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) advice.

He noted that the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force — Booster (CITF-B) had approved and adopted the recommendation on Dec 8.

At present, Khairy said that Comirnaty by Pfizer-BioNTech, CoronaVac by Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been approved for use for booster shots.

The Working Technical Committee, he added, had recommended that those above 18 should get their booster shots.

Source link

 

No benefits without booster

 

Get your booster: Khairy speaking at a press conference in Parliament. With him is Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The vaccination status of those required to get their Covid-19 booster shot will be deemed “incomplete” if they fail to get their shots by February next year, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

“If these group of individuals still have not got their booster shots after February 2022, their vaccination status will be changed to ‘incomplete’,” the Health Minister told a press conference in Parliament yesterday.

He said those whose status has been changed to “incomplete” would not be able to enjoy the benefits of those who are deemed to have completed their vaccination.

Sinovac vaccine recipients are among those who must get booster shots by the February deadline.

Meanwhile, those above 60 years old, irrespective of vaccines type, will also be required to get their booster shot.

Khairy said this was in line with recommendation by the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE).

He added that the Covid-19 Immunisation Booster Task Force had approved and adopted the recommendation on Dec 8.

At present, Khairy said that the vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been approved for use as booster shots.

He added those above 18 should also get their booster shots.

Booster dosing started nationwide on Oct 13 for fully vaccinated individuals to ensure the immunity received after completing their doses can be maintained for an optimal period, especially against the Delta variant.

Last month, Khairy stressed that Malaysia could face a new wave of Covid-19 infections if the administration of booster doses was not accelerated.

In a tweet later yesterday, he said in line with the government’s effort to ramp up the booster shots vaccination drive, mega PPV (vaccination centres) will be reopened starting with the Klang Valley.

“All 60 and above or Sinovac recipients must get a booster latest by February 2022 to keep (their) fully vaccinated status.

“You will get your booster appointment on MySejahtera 180 days after the second dose (Pfizer or AstraZeneca) or 90 days after the second dose (Sinovac).

“You can also contact GPs near you at https://vaksincovid.protecthealth.com.my/find to register on the waiting list,” he said.