Pharmaniaga on track to supply seven million doses of CoronaVac to boost immunisation - The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Pharmaniaga Bhd has received requests for a total of seven million CoronaVac Covid-19 vaccine doses from the private sector and state governments, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister said Pharmaniaga had expressed their desire to speed up the vaccination process by supplying the vaccine that is produced by China’s Sinovac Biotech.

“I wish to express my highest thanks to the government, specifically the Health Minister, for giving permission to Pharmaniaga to supply directly to private companies.

“These include government-linked companies (GLCs) and state governments. To date, we have received purchase requests for seven million doses from the private sector, GLCs and state governments.

“There are requests for four million doses from the private sector and another three million doses from the state governments, ” he said in a press conference at a working visit to Pharmaniaga Lifescience on Tuesday (June 1).

When asked, he did not specify a date the doses of the vaccine are expected to be delivered to those parties, though he said it will be done as soon as the vaccines are ready.

He explained that he was there as Pharmaniaga is a company under Boustead Holdings, which in turn is a subsidiary under the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT).

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) has made the decision to allow the product registration holder, which is Pharmaniaga, to supply directly to those who request to purchase such vaccines.

“We are allowing areas with high Covid-19 incidence rates to be given the vaccines through the state governments, GLCs or the private sector, in a concurrent manner.

“The product registration holder will be able to supply to state governments, GLCs, and private sector but through JKJAV.

“As such, it will not interfere with the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme as it will run concurrently, ” he said in the same press conference.