Pointing to supply disruptions, MEF moots national vaccine centre

KUALA LUMPUR – There will be support for the government’s recovery plans if employers are provided a clearer road map and long-term safeguards following the prime minister’s announcement yesterday. 

The Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF) has urged for the setting up of a national vaccine centre to deal with matters relating to long-term supply and jabs’ efficacy by harnessing local experts and resources.

“We must remain resolute in our aim to ensure that our employees and the public are safe and protected from Covid-19 infection, and look beyond the current lockdown to ensure that there will be no more in the future. The cost of MCO 3.0 (third movement control order) is estimated at RM1 billion per day,” said its president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman.

“Though the number of people being vaccinated has been encouraging recently, the supply of vaccines is often disrupted by high demand stemming from factors such as increased orders for third boosters by other countries to deal with the emergence of Covid-19 variants and mutations.

“Our own specialised vaccine research centre will look into the long-term prospects of producing our own vaccines, without the need to depend on others.

“It is important to speed up the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, and this can be done by allowing the participation of private medical practitioners in the programme, so that we can achieve herd immunity in a shorter time, and return to normalcy.

“There is no one solution that fits all in a global pandemic, as the Covid-19 situation is so fluid and dynamic that many countries that had removed lockdowns have now gone back (to implementing them).

“One factor that would really help is to be disciplined and follow the SOPs, as there are no shortcuts. The behaviour of the rakyat must change. They must be patient and follow the SOPs.”

Yesterday evening, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a four-phase National Recovery Plan that involves transitions in the movement controls imposed to stem Covid-19.

In a special televised address, the prime minister said the plan will be based on data and refer to three primary indicators.

“The first indicator is community spread, based on daily cases. The second is ICU bed capacity. The third is the percentage of the population that has been fully vaccinated.”

He said Phase 1 involves a full lockdown, which is currently in force, and that the government will consider moving to Phase 2 only when daily coronavirus cases fall below 4,000.

“In Phase 2, social activities, and interstate and inter-district travel are still prohibited.

“In Phase 3, the focus will shift from the positive list to the negative list. This means that all economic activities will be permitted except for those on the negative list.”

The transition to Phase 3 will occur when three indicators – daily Covid-19 cases fall below 2,000, the healthcare system is at a “comfortable” level, and 40% of the population has been fully inoculated – have been met.

“It is estimated that this can be attained by early August,” said Muhyiddin.

“In Phase 3, all economic sectors are allowed to operate except those on the negative list, like activities that can cause an increase in infections, or involving crowds.

“In Phase 3, social activities, including education and sports, can resume in stages.”

The move to Phase 4 happens when daily infections fall below 500, the healthcare system is at a “safe” level, and 60% of the population has been fully vaccinated, he said.

“All economic sectors will be reopened in Phase 4, while more social activities, and interstate and domestic travel will be permitted with strict SOPs in place.” – The Vibes, June 16, 2021