This is why it's important for us to look after ourselves, and get protected any way we can.

One way to do that is to get your COVID-19 booster shots.

Open to all

The Health Ministry has announced that all Malaysians aged 18 and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 booster shots.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told Malay Mail that on top of frontliners, the elderly and individuals with comorbidities, those who want to get their booster shots can also do so.

Image credit: Bloomberg

“The Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF-B) has recommended that booster doses be given to all residents aged 18 years and above with priority appointments given according to age (age step down approach); front line officers; individuals with comorbidities; pregnant women; and the need to go abroad,” Khairy said in a statement.

He added that the AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines have now been approved to be used a booster shots.

On top of AstraZeneca and Pfizer, those who received both doses of the Sinovac vaccine could now receive the same brand as a booster.

When to take the booster shot

According to Khairy, those who received the Sinovac vaccine are eligible for the booster shot three months after they received their second dose.

For recipients of the Pfizer and AstraZenega vaccines, the booster shots are available for them six months after their date of completion.

Meanwhile, those who are fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine are eligible for the booster shot three months after their second dose, and recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will have to wait two months after their shot.

How to register

If you are eligible to receive a booster dose, these are the steps that you need to follow to sign up as a backup list at a Pusat Pemberian Vaksin (PPV) private healthcare facility.Visit https://t.co/fqAJqK9Edh for the full list of PPV private healthcare facilities involved. pic.twitter.com/dD26q7cMgv

— ProtectHealth Corporation (@protecthealthco) November 24, 2021

To register for the booster shots, just follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visit ProtectHealth's website by clicking here to find your nearest private vaccination centre (PPV). Step 2: You can register yourself by dropping the PPV an e-mail, call them and even walk-in to the PPV. Step 3: Provide the PPV with the following details:

• Name
• MyKad/passport
• Contact details
• Date of the second dose
• Vaccine type

Step 4: Wait for the PPV to contact you.

Of course, please take note that you may not get your appointment slots as early as you'd hope, because the government is currently focused on giving the booster shots to those who need it first.

So, for the moment, you would be placed on the waiting list.

If you're eligible, do remember to register and wait patiently for the PPV to contact you, OK?