PETALING JAYA: Booster doses for Covid-19 vaccinations will be given at home to senior citizens who are unable to make it to vaccination centres (PPV), says ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn. Bhd.
This will be done via the Home Vaccination programme, a government initiative to protect senior citizens who are part of the vulnerable group.
This will expand the coverage and expedite booster dose vaccinations before the full vaccination privileges are withdrawn from recipients who do not obtain the booster dose by March 31.
ProtectHealth added that many senior citizens are expected to assemble at mosques to perform terawih prayers and attend gatherings during Ramadan, adding that this would increase the possibility of Covid-19 transmission.
“As announced by the Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on March 17, senior citizens are advised to go for the Covid-19 vaccination and booster shot for better protection against the virus, especially with Ramadan coming,” ProtectHealth said in a statement on Friday (March 25).
ProtectHealth chief executive officer Datuk Dr Anas Alam Faizli advised senior citizens who have yet to get their shots to do so immediately to ensure a safe transition to the endemic phase which begins on April 1.
“For those who have not been boosted yet, the colour of the vaccination certificate in the MySejahtera application will change to white if they have not taken the booster dose.
“With the introduction of home vaccination, we want to provide a hassle-free and seamless experience for the elderly who are unable to access PPVs,” he said.
Dr Anas said the Omicron Covid-19 variant may not be as aggressive as the Delta variant but it will not be a mild disease for the elderly – especially those with comorbidities – and could even lead to death.
“As such, we appeal to the public to ensure your parents are protected against the Covid-19 virus. By protecting your loved ones, we will protect everyone and the community,” he added.
As of March 24, a total of 15.5 million booster doses have been administered with 12 million doses (77.4%) by private medical practitioners and healthcare non-governmental organisations under ProtectHealth.
Malaysians and non-Malaysians who want to register their elderly or know of anyone who requires the service can call the national hotline for home vaccination at 1-700 811 007 from 9am to 5pm from March 28.
They could also send a message via WhatsApp at 012-678 7911, and a response can be expected within one to three days.
Alternatively, they could also register via the ProtectHealth website (https://vaksincovid.protecthealth.com.my/register_vaccinee) or the MySejahtera Helpdesk.
Meanwhile, Dr Anas when contacted, said that the home vaccination service will be provided for both booster and primary doses.
“We are already doing the home vax programme – using database from the Social Welfare Department and Health Ministry.
“Now we are opening it to those unable to go to the PPV, which we might have missed, and they can register through any of the channels offered,” he added.
Dr Anas said 10,000 home vaccinations were carried out with healthcare NGOs registered under ProtectHealth since the initiative began in June 2021.