For the past few days, the consideration of getting a third COVID-19 vaccination dose as a booster shot has sparked a debate on ethical and political grounds, since a vast swath of the population have yet to be fully inoculated. Hence, the best way to stop the spread of the delta variant and that of the many other virus mutations including the ravaging Lamda that is sporadically spreading across the globe, is ultimately for everyone to be vaccinated.
According to the Health Director General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, before considering booster shots, we need to enhance immunisation coverage in the country. Malaysia is still facing a devastating third wave of COVID-19 infections till date. As of 26th August, the number of new cases hit another high with 24,599 infections and has recorded 1,640,843 cases since the pandemic began.
Pemberian dos penggalak (booster dose) kepada mereka yang telah lengkap divaksinkan tidak akan membantu mengawal penularan varian Delta. Akan tetapi yang dapat mengawal penularan Delta adalah untuk memberi vaksin kepada mereka yang belum divaksinkan. pic.twitter.com/Jgc1iZpR1F
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) August 25, 2021
No one is safe until everyone is safe. You’re fooling yourself if you assume a third dose of the vaccine would put an end to the pandemic!
The government’s main focus and priority now is to get everyone vaccinated especially the anti-vaccine group who are the major cause of the super spreaders. Stringent action should be implemented by now against healthy individuals from the anti-vaccine group known for spreading propaganda and who refuse the shots due to unsubstantiated beliefs and conspiracy theories.
Those hesitant towards the vaccine due to reports of fully vaccinated people that have died of COVID-19 should not deter them from getting their shots. Any shot is certainly better than walking around without being vaccinated, you are not only risking yourself but those around your vicinity too.
Medical fraternities are saying while the vaccine does not provide full protection against the variants, it can help prevent hospitalisation and death and although there have been deaths even after a person has been fully vaccinated, one should take into consideration their health history by asking questions such as if they did have any other existing illness?
It is certainly very easy to get swayed away by what is reported, however always validate information that is available to you and do not take it word for word. What reported is not always the case to be. Do your own research and only read reliable news, there are many apps available out there to verify information read online, make use of them.
As of now, 13.8 million have been fully vaccinated in Malaysia and we have a long way ahead of us to give out booster shots, what we really need to achieve is herd immunity at this point. If we want to see the number of fatalities and hospitalisations reduced, well the answer is very simple. Follow the steps below:
Until the pandemic becomes another common flu virus with mutations, it will be important to stay vigilant and keep yourself protected. Get vaccinated as soon as you can guys!
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