Malaysia to procure Pfizer jab for kids after green light by US panel for 5-12 year olds

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today said that Malaysia will proceed with the procurement of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children, with other options like Sinovac to be taken into consideration.

In a Twitter post, he said 82.4% of teenagers had been partially vaccinated against the virus while 62% are fully vaccinated.

“This will mean #ReopeningSchools safely,” he added.

“With FDA panel recommending Pfizer jab for 5-12 yo, Malaysia will go forward with our procurement of Pfizer for kids. We will also look at other options like Sinovac.”

A medical panel of US government advisers endorsed the Pfizer jab for children aged five to 11 earlier this week, saying the known benefits of the shots outweigh the risks.

The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to give the formal nod for the jab soon.

Pfizer itself said last week that its vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 among children aged five to 11.

Malaysia’s Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for teenagers was launched on Sept 8.

Khairy previously said that it was among the fastest adolescent Covid-19 vaccination rollouts in the world.