KUALA LUMPUR – The government set the ceiling budget of RM3.5 billion to procure Covid-19 vaccines for 110% of the population, taking into account provisions for teenagers and additional stock. However, the bill has yet to be finalised.
National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ceiling expenditure is also based on announcements by vaccine suppliers that clinical trials are still being conducted on adolescents – thus, the government decided to increase the supply in advance, pending approval and trial results.
“The government also decided to obtain supplies as buffer stock if additional booster doses are required,” Khairy said in a statement today.
He said the allocation also takes into account the risk of supply disruption, such as export restrictions, raw material supply, manufacturing capacity and regulatory approvals.
He added that the 82.8% figure covering the country’s population was increased to 110%, as announced in the PICK Handbook launched on February 16.
Khairy said the total cost of procuring vaccines for 110% of the population currently stands at RM3.16 billion.
Kenyataan berkenaan peruntukan PICK. https://t.co/7ovQmCwGXj#LindungDiriLindungSemua pic.twitter.com/UBVPiGVgFd
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) April 27, 2021
“Although currently, the procurement price is estimated at RM3.16 billion, it depends on the increase in supply by taking into account the provision of vaccines for adolescents and buffer stocks, raising the ceiling to RM3.5 billion set by the Finance Ministry.”
He said procurement of the vaccines has yet to be finalised.
“For example, government agreements with suppliers, such as Gamaleya (Sputnik V) and CanSino, have yet to be implemented because the vaccines are still being evaluated by the NPRA (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency) and have not been registered.
“If these vaccines do not get approval, or take too long, the government has the option of not pursuing these agreements without any financial implications.”
Yesterday, Khairy said a total of RM5 billion in National Trust Fund (KWAN) monies will be used for the programme, with RM3 billion for vaccine procurement and RM2 billion to implement the scheme.
He said the total expenditure linked to the immunisation programme included the provision of facilities, such as renting halls, payment of utilities and provision of food, as well as staff allowances.
Less than a week ago, the government approved amendments to the National Trust Fund Act 1988 (Act 339), which allows funds to be used for the procurement of vaccines and any expenditure incurred in relation to the vaccines.
This was based on the Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which came into operation yesterday through the Federal Government Gazette published by the Attorney-General’s Chambers on April 21. – The Vibes, April 27, 2021
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