GEORGE TOWN – A Penang assemblyman is asking the federal government whether state governments can procure vaccines directly, similar to what Sarawak has recently done.
Pengkalan Kota rep Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said while the national immunisation drive comes under purview of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), which spearheads the nationwide immunisation programme, it is interesting that Sarawak could purchase vaccines directly for its people.
He said that he read with curiosity a report that Sarawak will receive 500,000 doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine within a week, as announced by the state’s Public Health and Housing Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee.
“It just makes me wonder if states such as Penang or provincial governments such as Sarawak can purchase vaccines directly. It is an interesting proposition.”
In view of this, JKJAV needs to provide answers as to where and how Sarawak got approval to do this, and whether the same is accorded to other states, said Gooi.
There is a need for transparency with regard to the supply of vaccines, especially in light of the recent surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths, he added.
“The delivery of vaccines should also be focused on vaccinating those in high-risk areas to prevent the rapid mutation of the virus and establishment of more clusters,” he said.
If states are allowed to purchase vaccines directly, it would help efforts to contain the pandemic, Gooi said.
In February, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had touched on an offer from the private sector to donate one million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to the Health Ministry (MoH).
Penang had also offered to help JKJAV hasten the arrival of the vaccines so that the state can achieve herd immunity as soon as possible, said Gooi. – The Vibes, May 17, 2021
