In addition to CanSino and Sinovac's CoronaVac, Mexico has authorized three other Covid-19 vaccines: those from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Russia's Sputnik V.
The Galen Centre recommends three priority groups for Covid-19 vaccination: people aged above 60 and those with comorbidities; migrant workers, prisoners, and detainees; and essential service workers, including in health and social care, and law enforcement.
The government is also procuring AstraZeneca’s vaccine under COVAX to cover another 10% of the Malaysian population, on top of direct purchases to cover 10% of the population.
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin says Malaysia is discussing with other international pharmaceutical companies to obtain a direct supply of a Covid-19 vaccine without having to join COVAX.
Khairy Jamaluddin says Malaysia cannot yet develop a Covid-19 vaccine because of the lack of facilities to produce human vaccines, prior focus on developing animal vaccines, and the early stage of Covid-19 vaccine research in Malaysia.