PETALING JAYA: The disparity in terms of vaccine procurement between advanced and developing countries must be resolved, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.
In calling for the Covid-19 vaccine to be made available for all as soon as possible, he said it must also be made more affordable.
“These vaccines must be available to everyone fast and at affordable prices,” Khairy said in his officiating message during the online launch of the United Nations Development Programme’s 2020 Human Development Report.
“Let us be reminded that its outcome must be that we leave this earth better for those that will inherit it, than what it was when we inherited it.”
He added that the pandemic had only exacerbated structural inequities, which were seen through differing work-from-home conditions and children’s lack of access to online education.
“As we welcome the incredible scientific breakthrough that we have seen over the last week with the commencement of what will be the biggest vaccination programme in human history, we are also reminded of how this light at the end of the tunnel is fractured by not enough global solidarity and once again inequity,” he said.
The government had signed agreements with Pfizer and the global Covax Facility last month to obtain Covid-19 vaccines for up to 30% of Malaysia’s population.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also said there were plans to increase purchases of the vaccine to cover the immunisation needs of up to 70% of Malaysians.
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