Concurrent supply of vaccines to private sector, state govts in Phase 3 and 4, says health minister

Vaccines produced by Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd (PLS) can be supplied concurrently to the private sector, government-linked companies (GLCs) and state governments for areas with high Covid-19 transmission rates during the third and fourth phases of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, says Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

Speaking at a virtual press conference after visiting the PLS high-tech factory at Taman Perindustrian Puchong Utama today, he said this would also help the country achieve herd immunity more quickly.

Following the visit, Adham said he was confident in PLS’ capability of producing 500,000 doses per week, and that it is expected to begin supplying the Covid-19 Sinovac vaccine to state governments and the private sector in June and July.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob who also visited the plant said PLS – the product registration holder of the Sinovac vaccine – was ready to help the government ramp up its production through the fill-and-finish process at the plant.

He said since obtaining permission to supply the vaccines directly, PLS had received orders for seven million doses from the private sector, including from GLCs.

“It’s four million doses from the private sector, including GLCs such as Petronas, PNB and others, as well as three million from state governments,” he said.