Health Ministry finalising date to sign Covax vaccine agreement

 

The Health Ministry and the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (Gavi) are finalising the date to sign the Optional Purchase Arrangement agreement to participate in the Covid-19 vaccine global access (Covax) vaccine allocation plan.

Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (above) said the cabinet had, on Oct 14, agreed for Malaysia to join Covax which would guarantee vaccine supply for 20 percent of the country's population.

He said the cabinet also agreed that the Health Ministry would represent the government to finalise Malaysia's agreement for participation in Covax, and for the Attorney General's Chambers to review the terms and conditions of the agreement set by Gavi.

“The decision for Malaysia to join this facility will involve costs that include an upfront payment and a risk-sharing guarantee of US$22,656,200.00 or approximately RM94.08 million," said Khairy during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) who asked if Malaysia’s participation in Covax is supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the costs involved.

Khairy said the guarantee of early access to the Covid-19 vaccine supply was important to protect the people from the virus, as well as to help boost the country's economy when the vaccination is made a condition for movement globally.

Malaysia’s participation in Covax is expected to open the country's options and reduce the risk of focusing only on bilateral methods to acquire the Covid-19 vaccine.

- Bernama