Khairy Jamaluddin says the government's RM3 billion allocation is not just for Pfizer’s vaccine alone, but for all Covid-19 vaccines to immunise 70% of the population, covering procurement, storage, and transport.
Malaysia has signed a commitment agreement with the COVAX Facility, choosing the Optional Purchase arrangement that enables participants to decide which vaccines to buy.
Under the COVAX Facility’s Optional Purchase arrangement, Malaysia can decide which Covid-19 vaccines to buy, but risks a delay in getting doses under the initial phase if only one or two approved vaccines are available and quantities are limited.
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.
The Covid-19 pandemic is now shifting to decisions made outside our national borders, like vaccines and travel bubbles. Malaysia must actively participate in these global discussions.