Dr Zaliha Mustafa however acknowledges a small increase in numbers.

The health ministry cites the latest Covid-19 developments in China, where cases are surging.

Health authorities say citizens must prepare for the potential emergence of new variants of the virus in the months ahead.

Advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss whether to update Covid-19 vaccines for the fall.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin says epidemiological developments in other countries suggest that a new wave of infections might occur in a few months' time.

In the study, which did not measure vaccine effectiveness, the booster raised virus-neutralising antibodies by eight-fold against Omicron.

It is unclear how much demand there is for the third dose in the age group.

While Taiwan is dealing with a rise in local cases, the numbers overall remain small - 13,164 since Jan 1 - and just four people have died, with more than 99% of those infected reporting either minor or no symptoms.

The decision by the FDA comes as the pandemic, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, flares up and as schoolchildren return by the millions to class following the holiday break.

Australia has reported a record 16,500 cases in NSW and Victoria, home to more than half of Australia's near 26 million people, eclipsing the previous high of around 11,300.

Booster shots will be offered from Jan 4 to everyone over 18 who had their second shot four months earlier and the interval will be again reduced to three months by the end of January.

It says Dr Chai Koh Meow completed his Covid-19 booster dose on Nov 9, and did not report any extraordinary side effects after receiving the vaccination.