GEORGE TOWN – State governments and private hospitals are now allowed to procure vaccine brands not used in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK), provided they have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In an online report, coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this includes vaccine brands such as China’s Sinopharm and the United States’ Moderna.
“We will support state governments on this. However, they need to register with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). The registration is not complicated,” he said in a joint press conference with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the SPICE Arena vaccination centre in Bayan Lepas today.
Khairy refuted allegations of a monopoly on vaccine supply and that the federal government is blocking states from procuring jabs.
However, states that are interested in getting vaccines from the same suppliers engaged by Putrajaya must wait for the latter’s orders to be fulfilled first, he said.
“Once the federal government’s orders have been met, they (vaccine producers) can then supply states.”
NPRA has so far approved the use of vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca.
Khairy said the government will focus on industrial vaccination centres in Bayan Lepas and the Batu Kawan Industrial Zone, to ensure workers are vaccinated.
“I met International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (on this), and also discussed the issue with the chief minister. It will be implemented soon.”
WHO approved the Sinopharm jab early last month, while the US is using the Moderna vaccine in its inoculation programme.
Putrajaya has come under fire for not allowing states and private entities to procure vaccines, as well as not approving the use of the Sinopharm jab.
While the federal government recently changed its mind on allowing states and the private sector to procure their own supplies, it said the brands must be approved by NPRA.
Groups including Sabah DAP have questioned the delay in approving the Sinopharm vaccine for use in Malaysia.
“I don’t see why NPRA is delaying the approval when the vaccine has been approved by WHO, like the other vaccines available in Malaysia,” said acting chairman Datuk Frankie Poon.
His comments came after a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Sabah government and Kanger International Bhd last month to obtain the Sinopharm vaccine.
Poon said Sabah has a huge population – nearly 3.9 million – and its target to inoculate 80% of the said population will require 6.28 million vaccine doses.
“With this proposed new vaccine from China, it will require only 3.12 million doses, as only one dose is sufficient.”
Khairy said the SPICE Arena jab site will be used to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine starting June 7, with a total of 133,000 doses prepared for the first round.
“We will start with 1,000 shots a day, and increase the number to 3,000 a day on weekdays and 2,000 on weekends.”
Meanwhile, Chow said Penang needs to provide 9,000 to 10,000 shots daily to achieve its herd immunity target by October. – The Vibes, June 3, 2021
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