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PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has clarified that Malaysia will, in fact, be enrolled on the global Covid-19 vaccine development platform Covax, after it was reported yesterday that the nation was not on the list of countries. registered.
The ministry said Putrajaya is currently discussing terms to join the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), which runs the Covax initiative.
He added that Putrajaya was preparing the agreement to join the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic and Preparedness (Cepi) and government-to-government agreements with Beijing for access to vaccines that will be developed by pharmaceutical companies in China.
He also said that the Ministry of Health has signed confidentiality agreements with several international pharmaceutical companies that are in phase three of their vaccine trials.
“Malaysia’s approach in joining Covax, forming strategic partnerships with other countries and negotiating directly with pharmaceutical companies will ensure that Malaysia obtains sufficient supply of the vaccine,” it said in a statement today.
He added that this will ensure that the vaccine is acquired quickly and at an affordable price once it has been shown to be safe and effective.
“The ministry of science, technology and innovation will coordinate the agreement on behalf of the government.”
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) yesterday urged Putrajaya to be more transparent about its plans to procure Covid-19 vaccines for the country after it was reported that Malaysia was not on the list of 172 countries that have signed up for Covax.
MMA President Dr N Ganabaskaran said that people deserve to know why Malaysia had not joined the Covax initiative as the deadline for countries planning to participate ended yesterday.
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