KUCHING: Will booster shots help the public ride through Covid-19 when it is declared endemic?
According to public health expert Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, this depended on the efficacy of the vaccine and the epidemiological pattern — how it spreads and what factors affect the spread in a given population.
“Transmission risk is not equal in all areas and countries. Therefore, each country needs to study the pattern of the infection and the performance of the vaccines being used.
“We need to understand our own situation and decide whether we need boosters, when or how often,” he said.
The International Medical University pro vice- chancellor of research, and Institute for Research, Development and Innovation director, said there was also the ever-prevalent moral and ethical quandary of whether one should start giving boosters when there are many who are still waiting for their first dose.
“Many countries have yet to achieve reasonable vaccination coverage, while some developed countries are already stock-piling vaccines for booster doses.”
He added that the development of an effective treatment or drug for Covid-19 was also important to further enhance the management of the pandemic.
“Effective drugs will clear the virus and reduce the source of infection to other people.
“An effective treatment may even change the vaccination strategy.”
