Vaccines for 6.4mil Malaysians next year

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin revealed that an early purchase agreement was signed on Tuesday with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to gain a supply of 12.8 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine for 20% of the population.

In making the announcement at a media conference here yesterday, he said the deal was the first stage of the government’s plan to provide free Covid-19 immunisation for all Malaysians.

He also said the vaccines would not be given to those under 12 years old as it has yet to be tested on children.

This is part of the government’s RM3bil plan to gain enough Covid-19 vaccines to immunise 6.4 million of the population as soon as the vaccine has been proven safe enough to be used.

“The government guarantees all Malaysians that the Covid-19 vaccines used in Malaysia will go through the stringent conditions set by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). There will be no compromise on its safety and quality, ” said Muhyiddin.

He said the agreement with Pfizer would ensure the government had access to data to be able to monitor the quality, safety and efficacy as well as guarantee access to the vaccine when the company was ready to distribute.

“Pfizer on Nov 9 stated that the first analysis of the interim data showed a vaccine efficacy of 95%.

“Pfizer also promised delivery of one million dose of vaccine in the first quarter of 2021, followed by 1.7 million doses in the second quarter, 5.8 million doses in the third quarter and 4.3 million doses in the final quarter of 2021, ” said Muhyiddin at the Prime Minister’s Office.

He was flanked by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin during the virtual media conference.

Muhyiddin also said that although the deal was signed, Pfizer had yet to pass the US Food and Drug Administration and the regulatory bodies of the manufacturing countries.

“Pfizer also has to get the approval from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency under the Health Ministry before the vaccine can be used in Malaysia.

“On Nov 22, the Health Minister also signed an agreement with Covax facility to get the Covid-19 vaccines to enable the immunisation of 10% of the population, ” said Muhyiddin.

Covax is a global initiative co-led by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gavi – the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) – to ensure fair and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccine worldwide.

The Prime Minister said that both these agreements were expected to acquire the access to the Covid-19 vaccine for 30% of the Malaysian population.

He said that the vaccine, when in hand, would be given in stages to the high-risk groups including frontliners, the elderly and patients who suffer from non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic illnesses.

He, however, assured that no one would be made a guinea pig when getting the immunisation for Covid-19.

“It will later be widened to other targeted groups, ” said Muhyiddin.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Health Ministry would begin a Phase Three clinical study next month on the Covid-19 vaccine with China.

The study will be conducted by local contract research organisations and registered under the National Medical Research Registry.

“This vaccine will be developed by the Institute Medical Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

“This Phase 3 clinical study will involve 3,000 participants and will test the safety and efficacy of the vaccine which is being developed, ” said Muhyiddin.

He said the safety of the vaccine would come under the monitoring of the NPRA to get a Clinical Trial Import Licence and MREC to ensure it would all be approved by the Health Ministry.

The Prime Minister also stated that Malaysia would take a multi-prong approach to get enough vaccines for at least 60% of the population.

“We will get the tested vaccines from any country and we are currently negotiating with 10 of the 12 leading manufacturers of Covid-19 vaccines in various countries such as China, Russia and the United States.

“Whatever it is, the vaccine to be used on Malaysians must be first approved by NPRA.

“We will not make it compulsory for all, but we will make it mandatory for the vulnerable groups.

“A recent study has shown that 82% of Malaysians are for the Covid-19 immunisation. As for those against vaccination, we will engage them through information and media campaigns, ” said Muhyiddin.

On the private sector getting access to the Covid-19 vaccines, he said they would have to wait until the supply was enough on the government’s side.

“However, we do not prevent the private sector from negotiating to get their own supply, ” said Muhyiddin.

He also urged the countries which are developing the tested Covid-19 vaccines to set up their factories in Malaysia.

“We will give them special treatment and provide them with incentives, ” said Muhyiddin.

On Nov 19, Khairy said that Malaysia would make an upfront payment of RM94mil soon for access to a Covid-19 vaccine.

He said the Cabinet decided on Nov 13 that Malaysia, through the Health Ministry, would conclude its participation in the Covax facility by signing the Optional Purchase Arrangement.

Khairy said earlier that the government intended to target 70% of the Malaysian population to get the Covid-19 vaccine in the first quarter of 2021, focusing on adults to enable the country to reach the herd immunity threshold.

He said if the herd immunity threshold was achieved, those who have not been vaccinated would be protected from Covid-19 infection.

“There will be some who will not get the vaccination because most of the Covid-19 vaccines developed have not been tested on children under the age of 12, so definitely they will not be vaccinated next year, ” Khairy said.