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KUALA LUMPUR: The logistics cost of the ultra-cold Covid-19 vaccine will be borne by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, says Khairy Jamaluddin (Photo).
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation said that the agreement signed with the pharmaceutical giant includes the shipment of the vaccine.
“There are agreements, like with Pfizer, where the cost that we have paid (for the vaccine doses) consists of transportation costs, which are borne by Pfizer.
“Agreements on (logistics cost) vary and depend on different companies.
“The final cost of all this is being analyzed because it involves not only transportation, but also storage, so we will examine it when we have a clearer picture,” he said in response to Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) who had asked on the government’s preparations to receive the vaccines and the additional costs involved for logistics in addition to the announced RM3bil allocations.
Fahmi had also asked about the government’s readiness if there is a disruption in the vaccine supply chain, like the one currently experiencing Pfizer.
Khairy said he is aware of media reports on challenges in Pfizer’s supply chain for the raw materials used in its Covid-19 vaccines, prompting the company to lower its 2020 production target.
“But the same report also says that it is only for this year. Pfizer informed me that this does not affect supply for next year, which is for Malaysia.
“However, Malaysia, like other countries, has taken the portfolio vaccine approach to ensure that we have sufficient supply.
“If we only depend on one company, then we could put ourselves at risk to get enough vaccines,” Khairy said.
In a Reuters report on Dec. 4, a Pfizer spokeswoman said the company plans to produce 50 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine this year.
This is less than the previous goal of 100 million doses.
Pfizer’s vaccine requires two dose regions, which means that 50 million doses alone are enough to inoculate 25 million people.
Khairy said Malaysia aims for 70% of its population to develop herd immunity under the national immunization plan for Covid-19.
So far, Malaysia has signed two agreements that have ensured enough vaccine for 30% of the population.
Khairy said that one is through the Optional Purchase Agreement signed on November 23 that guarantees the supply of vaccines for 10% of the population.
The second agreement is with Pfizer, which was signed on November 24 to provide vaccine supplies to 20% of the population, or 12.8 million doses.
“For the remaining 40%, the government is still discussing and negotiating with other pharmaceutical companies that are also developing the Covid-19 vaccines,” Khairy said.
The Rembau deputy said the government is targeting the first quarter of 2021 to receive its first batch of Covid-19 vaccine.
“However, the government will not compromise in terms of the safety and efficacy of the purchased vaccines.
“The final decision on the use of a vaccine will only be made after the National Pharmaceutical Regulation Agency (NPRA) of the Ministry of Health makes a registration and approval decision,” Khairy said.
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