Malaysia to join COVAX vaccine plan

Malaysia will be joining 172 countries to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine global access (COVAX) to obtain access to the supply of COVID-19 vaccine, said the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).

In a statement today, MOSTI said the government is currently discussing the terms of Malaysia's participation with The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) which is coordinating COVAX.

It said the Malaysian government is also preparing the agreement to join the Coalition for Epidemic and Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and a government-to-government (G2G) pact with the Chinese government to gain access to vaccines developed by pharmaceutical companies in China.

At the same time, the Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH) has signed non-disclosure agreements with several international pharmaceutical companies, which are currently testing COVID-19 vaccines in the third phase of clinical trials, to negotiate the supply of vaccines which could be approved.

The statement added Malaysia's approach in joining COVAX, establishing strategic partnerships with other countries, and direct negotiation with pharmaceutical companies would ensure that Malaysia has adequate supply of vaccines at an appropriate price when it is proven safe and effective.

MOSTI said its minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar would be responsible for arranging these agreements on behalf of the Malaysian government.

-- BERNAMA