KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) has slammed the government’s dependence on only three NPRA-approved vaccines – Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Sinovac – for the national immunisation programme, amid record-high daily Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The coalition’s Covid-19 vaccination committee said the dependence on only three vaccine brands is too risky and leaves the country with limited jabs.
In a statement issued late last night, the committee gave three suggestions that Putrajaya should immediately consider – fast-track the NPRA’s approval for vaccines, have more vaccine variations, and allow states and private hospitals to provide shots to the paying public.
The committee, led by former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said this comes after coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s statement on May 5 that raised the possibility of a delay in the roll-out of phase three of the immunisation drive.
“The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) must expedite the study and approval of vaccine candidates, especially those that have been approved by the World Health Organisation and other international health authorities.
“Excessive and inefficient bureaucratic processes need to be overcome and, at the same time, maintain the independence of the research process to ensure speedy and accurate approval while maintaining the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine,” said the PH committee.
It added that the Sputnik V and Cansino vaccines are still awaiting approval, despite having submitted their applications months ago.
“Sputnik V has received approvals from 60 countries and the NPRA should strive to obtain the data needed to expedite the approval process. If both of the aforementioned vaccines are approved, the increased rate of immunisation, as a result, will play an important role in combating the current Covid-19 surge.”
The committee also suggested that the government procure other vaccines that have been approved by the WHO, such as Janssen and Moderna, while negotiating with vaccine companies that are in their final trial stage, such as Sinopharm and Novavax.
“The government must not stop getting other vaccine supplies as pharmaceutical companies have their priorities set for rich countries.
“Malaysia could afford to buy vaccines at or above market prices to guarantee early vaccine delivery, like tactics used by the UAE and Israel last year.
“Like the Titanic story narrated by Khairy, Malaysia should not wait for the existing safe ship, but should diligently buy new ‘tickets’ for another safe ship.”
Lastly, the committee said allowing the paying public to opt for vaccinations at private hospitals and state governments will close the gaps left by the public system.
“Malaysia is already behind Singapore and Indonesia in terms of vaccine procurement. The wait-and-see attitude has left the country unable to deal with the surge in infections that led to loss of lives.
“It is not too late. Now is the time to review the country’s vaccination strategy to save lives.”
Malaysia logged another 6,493 Covid-19 cases and 50 deaths yesterday. – The Vibes, May 22, 2021
