'Where's my vaccine?' - KJ addresses concerns about 'slow' vaccination

 

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also in charge of the country's vaccination efforts against Covid-19, acknowledged that people have been asking why they have yet to receive their vaccination appointment.

This is as phase two of the vaccination exercise involving those aged 60 and older as well as people with chronic illnesses is fast approaching next week.

Khairy said he recognised that people are anxious but said expectations needed to be managed due to vaccine availability.

"There have been concerns expressed on Covid-19 vaccinations in Malaysia. People are wondering why the rate of vaccination seems slow.

"People who have registered in February are asking when they will get their appointments," he said in a statement.

Khairy said vaccine supply is still low and a more steady supply is only expected from June onwards.

"One of the biggest reasons for low vaccine supplies in Malaysia and other middle-income countries is that rich countries have cornered the Covid-19 vaccines market.

"Some rich countries have bought enough vaccines for their citizens three to five times over. Many pharmaceutical companies give preference to rich countries for obvious reasons.

"That is also why Malaysia has had to balance our Covid-19 vaccine portfolio to include Pfizer, AstraZeneca but also those from non-Western countries like Sinovac (China)," he said.

In full swing

However, Khairy said he expects mass vaccination to be in full swing by June.

He added that there will be enough supply to vaccinate 80 percent of the population by the end of this year. 

"For now, demand outstrips supply."

Khairy promised to push vaccine suppliers to make faster deliveries.

"So, while I know everyone is anxious about getting their Covid-19 vaccination, I would also like to manage expectations with the reality of vaccine availability.

"I will continue to push for more vaccine supplies to arrive quicker. In the meantime, please maintain our SOPs and in the coming months you will get a notification in the MySejahtera app or via SMS informing you of your vaccination appointment," he said.

 - Mkini