[ad_1]
At least RM3bil will be set aside next year for Covid-19 vaccines to ensure that at least 70% of the population can be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
“I have spoken with the Ministry of Finance and informed that we will need to at least reserve RM3bil for the immunization of 70% of the population,” said the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in response to Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH -Kuala Selangor).
Dzulkefly had urged the government to provide more allocations to the Ministry of Health and the Khairy ministry to ensure that more Malaysians are vaccinated.
Khairy said the first supply of vaccines is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2021, to be delivered to 3% of leaders from various sectors such as health and safety.
“The government is using a multi-pronged approach to ensure access to the Covid-19 vaccine for Malaysians,” he said.
According to the most recent list from the World Health Organization, 202 vaccine candidates are being developed, and of these, 10 are already in phase three of clinical trials.
“Through various approaches, from diplomacy to science, Malaysia has had some negotiations and is wrapping up with vaccine developers globally, including China.
“Apart from that, we are also in the final stages of negotiation to participate in global access to Covid-19 (Covax) vaccine to gain access to Covid-19 vaccines,” he said.
Khairy added that discussions are taking place between his ministry, the Health Ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office on the issue.
[ad_2]
