It’s finally official, the Covid-19 vaccine is set to arrive in Malaysia come 2021.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin confirmed that the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, expected to be delivered in stages next year, would be priced at less than RM100 per dose.
Khairy said the pricing was governed and made through a non-disclosure agreement with the pharmaceutical company. The minister in a statement said,
Suffice to say we are satisfied with the terms and pricing that we have agreed upon. The terms we have reached protect Malaysia’s interests both financially and with regard to the safety of the vaccine.
He also further stated that;
The government is also working on procuring a portfolio of vaccines in order to obtain enough doses for 70% of the Malaysian population. Negotiations are ongoing including with vaccine manufacturers from China.
To fund the Covid-19 vaccination programme for Malaysians, the government had allocated about RM3 billion.
Therefore, all vaccines will be deemed safe and efficacious by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency under the health ministry before they execute the agreements and begin the vaccination process.
Last week, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had confirmed that the government has sealed an agreement with Pfizer;
Vaccines are reported to be acquired with a total of 12.8 million doses to immunise 6.4 million Malaysians. In the first quarter of next year, one million doses should be delivered, followed by 1.7 million, 5.8 million and 4.3 million doses in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2021, accordingly.
Pfizer will be accountable for transporting the vaccines, with ultra-low temperature freezers to be redeployed if and when required at universities and research institutions as they are required to be stored in ultracold storage at -70 ° C.
With the arrival of the vaccine, hopefully the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia could be reduced and combated significantly in efforts to swipe out the deadly virus once and for all.
In the meantime, stay safe, maintain the SOPs and always wear a mask.
More updates to follow!
