PUTRAJAYA – Private hospitals will be given permission to negotiate with suppliers to purchase the Covid-19 vaccine, said National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
However, he said, at the earliest, vaccine delivery to private markets will most likely be made in the third and/or fourth quarter of this year.
“I will discuss with private hospitals about approval for them to initiate discussions.
“Wealthy people should not think that they can pay for a shot this month or next month because the entire world is suffering from a lack of vaccine supply.
“I will let them (private hospitals) try to procure (the vaccine), but I can tell you that the private market will not immediately administer them.”
Khairy, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation minister, said the public and private sectors will cooperate for the provision of the vaccine to companies in specific industries operating in red zones and with more than 5,000 workers.
“This cooperation will be announced when we decide the form of cooperation with industry players.”
He also said the Environment and Water Ministry has prepared a guidebook titled Green Vaccination Programme to make vaccination centre operations more environmental-friendly. – Bernama, March 29, 2021
