Less than 50% of Malays have received Covid-19 booster shots: KJ

KUALA LUMPUR – Less than 50% of Malays in the country have received the Covid-19 booster dose, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said efforts should be intensified, especially through social media, to communicate to the community the importance of getting the booster shot.

Khairy said that overall, the number of booster doses administered daily is starting to increase again as it is the best protection against the virus, especially given the fast spread of the Omicron variant.

In a tweet today, he said that as of yesterday, 47.9% of Malays have received the booster dose, Chinese 81.3%, Indians 56.4%, Orang Asli 49.6%, and 50.6% of “others”.

Pemberian dos penggalak harian mula meningkat semula. Dos penggalak memeberi perlindungan yang baik terutama dalam gelombang Omicron. 80% masyarakat Cina boosted. Namun perlu komunikasi yang lebih mantap di Facebook sebab Melayu < 50%. Sarawak terbaik. pic.twitter.com/vONFLhX59C

— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) February 11, 2022

On the percentage in the uptick of booster shots given according to states, Khairy said Sarawak recorded the highest number at 76.8%, followed by Melaka (71.9%), Klang Valley (66.9%), Negeri Sembilan (62.4%), Penang (61.5%), and Labuan (57.1%).

Johor recorded 56.8%, while Perak saw 51.7%, Pahang 48.3%, Kedah 43.9%, Terengganu 38.4%, Perlis 30.9%), Kelantan 25.3%, and Sabah 24.8%.

In a separate tweet, Khairy said focus must be given to areas with low Covid-19 booster coverage, especially ahead of the Johor election.

He said according to the booster coverage heatmap in Johor, as of yesterday, Muar has the highest percentage at 71%, followed by Johor Baru (67%), Kulai (56%), Batu Pahat (52%), Kluang (46%), Kota Tinggi (42%), Tangkak (40%), Segamat (37%), Pontian (35%), and Mersing (32%).

As for the Klang Valley, Petaling is at 79%, Kuala Lumpur 75%, Putrajaya 70%, Hulu Langat 61%, Klang and Gombak 59%, Kuala Langat and Sepang 54%, Kuala Selangor 48%, Sabak Bernam 40%, and Hulu Selangor (20%).

In another tweet, Khairy said employers who upgrade ventilation systems at their office qualify for tax deductions under Budget 2022.

“If you need to call for physical meetings, make sure you have improved ventilation in your office. The tax deduction facility has been extended until the end of 2022. Details at @LHDNMofficial,” he said. – Bernama, February 11, 2022