Malaysia to purchase updated COVID-19 vaccines tailored for new variants: Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government will procure new COVID-19 vaccines which are tailored to fight new pressures of the virus, mentioned Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The vaccines will be administered free of charge to high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with serious comorbidities, the Malaysian media cited Mr Khairy because saying on Tuesday (Sep 13).  

“A choice on this procurement is going to be announced later along with the vaccines for kids under five, ” he said in a press conference right after launching the Record Breaking COVID-19 Vaccination Report: Public-Private Collaboration, according to Bernama.  

Similarly, the particular vaccines for children under five will only be offered to immunocompromised and chronically sick toddlers, the ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) said.

The newest Straits Times cited Mr Khairy since saying that Malaysia is within the midst associated with discussing the purchase with the vaccine producers.

“Negotiations are starting now. We have a current order with Pfizer and the COVID-19 Shot Global Access (COVAX) facility that we failed to use fully.

“That means all of us bought more than we all needed, so we making the effort to change the order regarding doses with the up-to-date formula, ” this individual said.  

The minister mentioned Malaysia is currently more than about four mil doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, with some expiring at the end of the year, the particular Star reported.

He said that since the COVID-19 situation within Malaysia is under control, there is no need for another large-scale vaccination drive.

Data has shown the lower-risk population, for example those in the youthful age brackets, are sufficiently protected using their initial COVID-19 jabs and booster, he added.

The particular vaccines will be administered in government plus private health services.  

To kick-start the process, the health ministry will collect data on sufferers with comorbidities plus high-risk children in Malaysia, Mr Khairy said.  

“These data will be collected in the MOH’s database. They will help the ministry to procure enough vaccines, ” he was cited as saying simply by Bernama.