GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia must allow the private sector to sell Covid-19 vaccines as the national immunisation programme’s roll-out continues to be slow, despite assurances by the authorities that the country can attain herd immunity by year-end.
There needs to be more involvement from the private sector, from procuring and distributing vaccines to getting shots in arms, said Penang PKR vice-chairman Jason Ong Khan Lee.
A site linked to the World Health Organisation as at noon today reported that 5.33 million Malaysians have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, of whom 1.52 million received both doses of either the Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Sinovac jab.
The country’s population base was listed at 31.92 million in 2019.
Ong said he has expressed since April that the only way to contain the pandemic is through the largest-ever mobilisation of resources, to see to it that at least 80% of the population, as well as expatriates and migrant workers, are vaccinated.
He said in hindsight, the immunisation initiative is simply bogged down, adding that the government is accused of politicising the process.
To overcome these issues, as well as the anti-vaccination movement, the Kebun Bunga rep urged for the private sector to be allowed to sell vaccines to those who can afford them.
“Health is wealth, and it is no truer than how we handle Covid-19.”
Lawyers for Justice movement coordinator S. Raveentharan said questions have been raised over the immunisation drive, including why younger individuals are receiving the jab ahead of the elderly and people with underlying health issues.
Those who registered last are being inoculated first. There is no system now. It is a pity that we do not have a vaccine for ignorance and irresponsibility.”
What the authorities need to do is increase accessibility to vaccines, and deploy all resources in the health sector, from pharmacists to retirees, as well as civil society, he said.
He also urged the government to reveal how many frontliners have yet to get the jab, including journalists, who are seen to have been sidelined.
The same applies to lawyers, hawkers and food delivery riders, he added.
Raveentharan said Putrajaya has to stop politicising the pandemic, including its apparent insistence on prolonging the state of emergency so that Parliament does not reconvene.
“Do not worry about losing power. If we uphold democracy, any politician can regain power when the next general election is held. The people will decide.” – The Vibes, June 19, 2021
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