PUTRAJAYA (Sept 19): Malaysia will be joining 172 countries to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine global access (COVAX) to obtain access to the supply of COVID-19 vaccine, said the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
In a statement today, MOSTI said the government is currently discussing the terms of Malaysia's participation with The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) which is coordinating COVAX.
It said the Malaysian government is also preparing the agreement to join the Coalition for Epidemic and Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and a government-to-government (G2G) pact with the Chinese government to gain access to vaccines developed by pharmaceutical companies in China.
At the same time, the Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH) has signed non-disclosure agreements with several international pharmaceutical companies, which are currently testing COVID-19 vaccines in the third phase of clinical trials, to negotiate the supply of vaccines which could be approved.
The statement added Malaysia's approach in joining COVAX, establishing strategic partnerships with other countries, and direct negotiation with pharmaceutical companies would ensure that Malaysia has adequate supply of vaccines at an appropriate price when it is proven safe and effective.
MOSTI said its minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar would be responsible for arranging these agreements on behalf of the Malaysian government.
Source: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
Muhammad Rasydan Ma’at
Asst. Manager, Communications
+603 8776 6168
rasydan.m@mhtc.org.my
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation’s first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia’s world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy. More information can be found at https://www.mhtc.org.my/.
