KUALA LUMPUR:The government is paying less for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac of China as the bottling process will be carried out in Malaysia, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said Pharmaniaga Bhd would be overseeing the bottling process for the vaccine, which is expected to be ready for distribution by the end of March.

"I reiterate that the cost of this vaccine is cheaper as it will be bottled here and not in China; if (bottled) in China the cost is much higher.

"Pharmaniaga has been entrusted with the task of overseeing the bottling process and the cost was presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and they have agreed to the price mentioned," he told reporters after attending a ceremony for signing an agreement between Pharmaniaga and Sinovac for bulk supply of the vaccine.

He said Pharmaniaga was tasked with managing the bottling process as the company has the capacity to implement it according to the set guidelines.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba and Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also witnessed the signing.

Khairy, however, declined to disclose detailed information on the procurement of the vaccine as he is bound by the non-disclosure agreement with the vaccine manufacturer.

Meanwhile, Khairy said the government would seek halal status for the Sinovac vaccine prior to its distribution.

“Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) has verified the halal status of this vaccine and we will do the same with Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia).

“We will verify that this vaccine is safe for use by Muslims,” he said.

At the signing ceremony, Pharmaniaga was represented by its group managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope and Sinovac Life Sciences Co Ltd by its general manager Gao Qiang.

-- BERNAMA