COVID-19 | The government will be spending RM16.6 million in public funds on storage facilities and equipment required by the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today that the allocation will cover the purchase of 55 ultra-low temperature freezers used to store the vaccine vials.
Each freezer is estimated to cost between RM70,000 and RM80,000. The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70°C.
Aside from these “cold boxes”, Khairy said the government will also need to purchase “other related medical supplies” to store the vaccines.
While Putrajaya’s deal with Pfizer requires the American drug manufacturer to cover delivery costs, he said it did not include storage costs.
“Pfizer delivers it to the point of vaccination but storage is our responsibility,” he added.
Malaysia’s vaccine procurement deal with Pfizer is subject to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The minister spoke to the media this afternoon after giving a three-hour briefing about the deal to the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament.
Pfizer for urban folk, AstraZeneca for rural
Due to its storage requirements, Khairy said the Pfizer vaccine will likely be administered to those living in urban areas.
“We have identified 55 locations to store the Pfizer vaccine. So the Pfizer vaccines will be probably (used) in the urban areas because it requires this ultra-low (temperature) freezer.
“AstraZeneca - because it can be stored in a regular refrigerator - we will deploy that (vaccine) for rural areas,” he said.
The first batch of Pfizer vaccines is expected to arrive in Malaysia by the end of February. The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has yet to approve the vaccine for use in Malaysia.
Khairy said today that the AstraZeneca vaccine is slated to arrive “some time” in the first quarter of 2021. It will also need NPRA approval before use.
Malaysia’s deal with the UK pharmaceutical company does not cover delivery costs but the minister could not reveal any figures due to NDA restrictions.
MySejahtera for vaccine registration, surveillance
The National Vaccination Plan is also set to be finalised this Thursday (Jan 7).
Once finalised, the plan will be presented to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin next Monday (Jan 11) before it is brought to the cabinet next Wednesday (Jan 13).
Khairy confirmed today that the plan details how vaccines will be distributed across the country, who will receive them first, and a mechanism for how the general population can sign up to receive the jab.
“It's voluntary, so if you want to get vaccinated you have to sign up.
“We will have a sign-up feature in MySejahtera where you can sign up to say you consent and that you register to get the vaccine,” he said.
He added that phone apps will also be used to monitor any side effects of the vaccine.
“We will have a surveillance process that will be carried out by the Health Ministry for several years, we will continue to monitor for adverse effects.
“We will also encourage self-reporting surveillance through MySejahtera in case you develop any side effects,” the minister said. - Mkini
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