PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia is looking at procuring more Covid-19 vaccines after already having secured deals that will see 82.8% of the population being immunised, which is more than what is required.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the additional vaccines will act as a “buffer” should issues arise with the batches that have thus far been agreed on.
He said the government will spend RM2.05 billion, out of the total RM3 billion allocated for importing Covid-19 vaccines, for six different brands that have thus far been ordered. This is enough for 26.5 million Malaysians.
“But that does not mean we won’t spend the remaining (RM0.95 billion),” he said. “We need some buffer in case we require additional doses and supplies.
“First, we are worried that some of the vaccines we are purchasing may not pass our regulatory requirements. Secondly, there is concern that some companies may not be able to fulfil demands.
“That is why we are not discounting the possibility that we may be forced to order more. In fact, I can confirm that negotiations are ongoing with a couple other pharmaceutical companies,” he told a press conference here today.
Other than the done deals with Pfizer (for 20% of the population), AstraZeneca (10%) and the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 vaccine global access (Covax) (10%), the government is also in the final stages of negotiations with Sinovac, CanSino and Gamaleya for another 42.8% of the population.
However, only about 70% of Malaysians would be immunised, with children exempted as clinical trials have yet to be conducted on them, he said. The rest of the doses will be kept as a buffer.
The minister also said he has offered to provide a detailed briefing to the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to ensure transparency in the government’s procurements.
This is provided the PAC agrees not to reveal any information, including the prices for each vaccine, due to non-disclosure agreements between the government and the vaccine-makers.
“With this, I hope all quarters, be they MPs or the rakyat, leave the matter up to me to address the PAC.
“Because I fear if the matter prolongs, it will affect public confidence on whether or not to receive vaccination, and they will start assuming that we are overpaying (for) them,” he said.
Khairy also pleaded to all parties not to politicise the issue, saying it is of utmost importance that as many Malaysians as possible get immunised to reduce the risk of infection. – The Vibes, December 23, 2020
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