Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Universiti Malaya, said effective vaccines could reduce the probability of transmitting the virus, but epidemiological studies were needed to confirm this.
“If both the local population and inbound travellers are immunised, the chances of disease transmission should be reduced,” he told FMT.
However, he said there was still a risk of Malaysians contracting a mutated variant not covered by current vaccines. Protocols must be established to reduce the possibility of new infections and permit safe travel.
For a start, the government could set up “travel bubbles” between vaccinated countries which have demonstrated herd immunity. This is after carefully considering the feasibility, economic benefits, health risks and plans to mitigate them.
Malaysia may not need to wait until 70% of its population is vaccinated before lifting bans on interstate and inter-district travel as there is already evidence of a decline in new infections among the immunised elderly in the UK.
Yesterday, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran suggested that the government should consider opening up its borders to tourists and business travellers who have been inoculated.
Citing a report that countries such as Iceland, Poland and Romania have permitted entry for vaccinated travellers, Rajiv urged Malaysia to be the first Asian country to follow suit.
However, Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said the vaccine was not completely effective against Covid-19, although it did help to reduce hospitalisation and mortality rates.
He said immunised travellers allowed to enter the country must show proof of their vaccination.
“Tourists coming in and out must be screened; even with the vaccine it is important to ensure that they are not bringing in new infections,” he said, adding that strict procedures must still be complied with.
With more people receiving the vaccine worldwide, Subramaniam said it was only a matter of time before Malaysia had to “start moving” by opening its borders to rejuvenate the economy.
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