KUALA LUMPUR – The issue over Covid-19 vaccine recognition must be clarified and discussed at the international level to avoid discrimination, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Malaysia’s stance is that if the vaccine is accepted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), then other countries should recognise individuals who have received the vaccine, he added.
“Malaysia hopes that there will be no discrimination as to where the vaccine is manufactured because the same formula is being used at all AstraZeneca manufacturing plants.
“Whether the plant is in Europe, India, Thailand or South Korea, the vaccine is the same,” he said when asked to comment on claims that the European Union (EU) recognises only the AstraZeneca vaccine that has been approved by the European Medicines Agency.
Khairy, who is also National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister, said the move to not recognise the vaccine manufactured by certain plants is unfair.
He said he will seek clarification from the EU representative in the country regarding the bloc’s decision.
Malaysia is also in the midst of discussing vaccine recognition with other countries, including Saudi Arabia, he added.
“A majority of Muslim countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Pakistan, are using the China vaccine, which is recognised by WHO.
“So, if Saudi Arabia says it does not recognise (the vaccine from China) how are pilgrims from these countries going to perform the haj next year?”
On whether those who have completed both doses of the vaccine will be given flexibility, Khairy said the guidelines are being drafted by the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee to be presented to the National Security Council.
“The set of guidelines on what you can do once you are fully vaccinated is expected to be ready next month.
“However, with the fast spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant, this calls for more caution.” – Bernama, July 3, 2021
