This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on January 10, 2022 - January 16, 2022

Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority has conditionally approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the inoculation of children aged five to 11 and those 12 years old and above.

Sinovac’s two-dose Covid-19 vaccine followed by a booster Pfizer-BioNTech shot showed a lower immune response against the Omicron variant compared with other strains, according to a study by researchers.

A panel of outside experts advising the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last Wednesday voted to recommend booster shots of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine be made available to 12- to 15-year-olds.

Moderna Inc is working on a vaccine candidate tailored to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but it is unlikely to be available in the next two months, according to the company’s CEO Stephane Bancel.

Johnson & Johnson said a real-world study showed its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine protects against breakthrough infections and hospitalisations for up to six months.

In Singapore, effective Feb 14, those aged 18 and above will have to take a booster shot within 270 days of completing their primary vaccination series in order to maintain a fully vaccinated status.

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