What is Malaysia doing about the Vaccine? Why the delays?
Malaysia has appointed a Minister of Immunisation, which is perhaps a first in the world. One would think of a vaccination or recovery Ministry next?
Nevertheless, why is Malaysia slow in getting the vaccines? While many countries, including Singapore, have vaccinated their people?
The rollout of vaccines is a success in the UK and USA and Singapore. It is rolled out in countries like Turkey and Indonesia where they are vaccinating their people.
But in Malaysia, the vaccine is delayed, and the public is asking questions that have remained unanswered.
Some industry sources (manufacturers, enterprises, and so on) are asking whether there will be a consideration from the government for emergency vaccination?
That is to bring the deadline for the vaccination of the people earlier than the suggested ‘end of February’. Or should we expect further delay?
Malaysia will begin COVID-19 vaccination by the end of February, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in a televised broadcast which did not solve any issues related to the late vaccination plan.
To recall, it was promised for early February. The authorities say clinical trial is on in Malaysia, but how long do they need for Jakim certification?
Vaccines slows the spread of coronavirus and in Malaysia, the vaccine is delayed. It is only after a long silence on the distribution of vaccines that PM Muhyiddin came out of isolation to deliver a speech.
Thus, we are now told Malaysia will vaccinate its people two months after the US rolled out its vaccine programme!
On the other hand, Malaysians do not know the cost of these vaccines. The Ministries responsible did not disclose the information.
But the cost price of the vaccines is available on the internet. Here is a breakdown of the cost of the vaccines in the US:
The cost for each dose ranges from $3 to $37, depending on the vaccine.
Moderna, a two-dose vaccine, recently announced each dose will go for around $32 to $37.
The Pfizer vaccine, also given in two doses, is expected to cost $19.50 a dose.
Each dose for Johnson & Johnson’s two-dose vaccine will cost an estimated $10, and AstraZeneca’s two-dose vaccine could be the cheapest at just $3 to $4 a dose.
Novavax’s two-dose vaccine is estimated to be $16 a dose.
Visit the website: healthline.com to get the answers!
In August last year, China’s Sinopharm priced its experimental Covid-19 vaccine at US$145.
This is reportedly 36 times more expensive than Oxford University’s vaccine. Is it a ripoff? After trying to extort that amount from the rest of the world, China now says will offer its virus at a reasonable price!
It looks like China thought it will be the only country with an anti-dote.
The question is whether some governments tried to price their vaccines based on the Chinese quotation?
That would make some people get a lot of money from public coffers!
It also appears Malaysia will only vaccinate 80% of the population, for free. Great. And what happens to the 20% who may not get the vaccine?
Malaysia has a four-digit virus figures daily. Its death toll has risen to double digit figure. 15 died on Feb 4.