BY: Michelle Liew

Malaysia is seen to be better prepared to deal with the surge in Omicron variant COVID-19 cases besides being experienced in protecting the vulnerable, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

In his tweet today, Khairy said the situation was not the same as June to September last year because now, the country is better prepared following the implementation of vaccination under the National COVID-19 Immunization Program (PICK).

“Over a month ago, I said that we expected Omicron to be as dominant here as it is in other places and when it does, the cases will increase. That’s why we are accelerating the booster dose injection program.

“Now, we can see a forecast of a rapid increase in cases. However, there is no need to panic. There are strong indications for a demarcation between the severe effects and the number of cases,” he announced.

He said the vaccination program for adults, teenagers and soon for children aged 5 to 12 was running smoothly with hospital use still under control.

“That’s why we can shorten the quarantine period, allow the public to control themselves and control harassment to a minimum,” he added.

Khairy said with more than 50 per cent of adults and nearly 70 per cent of senior citizens having received their respective COVID-19 booster doses, he hoped all parties could weather the Omicron wave through a carefully calibrated and proportioned approach.

“Follow the SOP (standard operating procedures). #TRIIS. Get a booster dose. Make sure your kids are vaccinated. We can do this,” he said.