KUALA LUMPUR – The 6.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine are supplied to Malaysia at cost price, said the pharmaceutical firm’s country president Dr Sanjeev Panchal.
In a statement carried by Malay Mail, Dr Sanjeev said Malaysia can expect the delivery of the AZD1222 vaccine in the first half of next year.
“AstraZeneca is proud to reinforce our commitment to Malaysia and support the government’s Covid-19 vaccine strategy by providing 6.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca/University of Oxford’s potential vaccine, AZD1222, at no profit during the period of the pandemic.
“I am grateful for the government’s guidance and leadership, and look forward to deepening our cooperation to fight Covid-19,” he was quoted as saying.
Under the agreement announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, AstraZeneca will expand its global manufacturing capacity to ensure a dedicated supply of AZD1222 for Malaysia.
AstraZeneca is also reported to be working with the Health Ministry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to prepare for a “swift and science-led regulatory approval”.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin announced that Malaysia had signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to provide 6.4 million doses of its vaccine, enough to inoculate 10% of the country’s population.
He said Malaysia will look into deals with another three vaccine makers.
Previously, Malaysia inked a deal with Pfizer and the Covax facility. – The Vibes, December 23, 2020
