KJ hints at getting better deal than EU for Pfizer vaccine

PUTRAJAYA – Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today hinted that Malaysia may have gotten a much better deal than the European Union (EU) over the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. 

Without revealing the exact price Malaysia will be paying the American pharmaceuticals giant, Khairy said he is very happy when he found out how much the EU will be forking out per dose. 

He added that he is unable to reveal the deal involving Malaysia due to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the vaccine maker. 

This is in relation to the leaked price of the Pfizer vaccine by a Belgian minister on Sunday, who accidentally revealed that the EU would be purchasing it at €12 per dose, or approximately RM60. 

“I want to tell all Malaysians that I am happy with the price we got with Pfizer. If I can, I will reveal it now, but I can’t. 

“But even based on the so-called leak of the price purchased by the EU, I am even happier about the deal we got. I am very close to breaching the NDA, but indeed I am so happy,” he said in a press conference at the ministry here today. 

Following the revelation of the prices of certain vaccines that the EU is procuring, Malaysians have bombarded Khairy on Twitter with various questions pertaining to Pfizer, asking if the country is overpaying for shipments of the vaccine. 

Khairy said the deal with Pfizer, which will see vaccines for 20% of the population delivered to Malaysia as early as February, will also include the cost of transportation. 

Khairy added that the government has negotiated with Pfizer for an option for Malaysia to increase its purchase by another 20%, should the need arise. 

On a new strain identified in the UK that is supposedly more infectious, Khairy said he would be speaking with Pfizer to ensure any vaccines entering Malaysia would be able to cope with it. 

“Pfizer said it needs six weeks to tweak its vaccine if the current one is not effective for the new strain. We will talk to them to ensure if there are new vaccines, it will be reflected in our contract. 

“I will insist on this. I haven’t spoken to them yet, but I will,” he said. – The Vibes, December 23, 2020