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SEREMBAN, Nov. 7 – The government will make advance reservations of Covid-19 vaccines with the allocation of more than RM3 billion in the 2021 budget, said Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar.
He said the ministry is confident that the allocation was sufficient to place an initial order for the supply of vaccines that is expected to be secured in the first quarter of next year once approved by the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
“We will begin to make advance reservations for the Covid-19 vaccine that is being developed. I hope that within a month or two, we will get information from the Ministry of Health on the effectiveness of the vaccine, ”he told reporters after visiting flash flood affected areas here today.
Khairy is also co-chair of the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supplies.
Presenting the 2021 Budget, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that the government committed to procuring Covid-19 vaccines through its participation in Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax), with a estimated cost of more than RM3 billion.
Meanwhile, Khairy, who is also a Rembau MP, said that the allocation of RM400 million to carry out research and development (R&D) to support innovation in science and technology is crucial to commercialize local products and technology.
“We do not want to depend solely on foreign technology that implies a high cost. Therefore, we will focus this large sum destined to national products and technological research ”, he added.
In a separate development, Khairy, who is also the chair of the Negeri Sembilan Development Action Council committee, said an allocation of RM500,000 would be channeled to repair damaged roads and riverbanks in Kampung Kuala Sawah, which collapsed after the floods last Wednesday.
The river also connects several nearby areas, such as Kampung Stesen, Kampung Pasir, and Pekan Kuala Sawah, near here. – Bernama
