KUALA LUMPUR – The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Covax programme is not off to a promising start, with internal documents saying the scheme faces a “very high” risk of failure, reported Reuters.
This potentially leaves poor countries, whose populations number in the billions, without access to Covid-19 vaccines until as late as 2024.
The report was brought up in the Dewan Rakyat today by Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), who asked the government for an update on the matter.
“How does this affect Malaysia, and what back-up plan does the government have?”
According to Reuters, Covax promoters said the programme is struggling due to a lack of funds, supply risks and complex contractual arrangements.
“The risk of a failure to establish a successful Covax facility is very high,” said an internal report to the board of Gavi, an alliance of governments, drug companies, charities and international organisations that arranges global vaccination campaigns.
Gavi and WHO co-lead the Covax initiative.
Putrajaya has so far dealt with only two outfits on Covid-19 vaccine procurement – Covax and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Pfizer’s vaccine is expected to cover 20% of the Malaysian population, while Covax’s is for 10%.
Last month, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia will pay about RM94 million upfront for access to vaccines under Covax.
On the price tag for Pfizer’s jab, he said it is estimated at RM3 billion. – The Vibes, December 17, 2020
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