THE Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine will be available in the open market from next month, Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

The jabs will be sold to the public in private clinics and hospitals, and they will be given clear guidelines on the sale, including its ceiling prices, he said.

“Private sector participation is always part of the government’s plan once sufficient supply of vaccines is secured.

“In August, pharmaceutical companies with access to supplies of vaccines will be able to offer this in the private market,” he said.

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that state governments and the private sector can order the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine directly from Pharmaniaga.

“The orders can begin now,” Ismail had said while on a visit to Pharmaniaga in Shah Alam, adding that a total of 14 million doses are available for purchase.

“Some government-linked companies, private hospitals and states such as Selangor have already indicated their interest,” said Ismail, who is also defence minister.

The deputy prime minister said the price for Sinovac vaccines will be determined by Pharmaniaga, the local supplier of the shot.

Khairy added that the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee will discuss the full guidelines of the sale of the Sinovac vaccine at their meeting next week.

The Covid-19 immunisation coordinating minister was speaking at a joint press conference with Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

Earlier, Khairy had denied speculation that the Sinovac vaccine was no longer favoured under the national immunisation programme.

Khairy said Pharmaniaga Bhd – the local fill-and-finish manufacturer for the China-made vaccine – has already completed its supply shipment to Putrajaya based on the federal government’s order.

This came in the wake of Putrajaya’s decision to no longer use Sinovac in the national inoculation programme once the supplies end. 

The government’s decision to allow the sale of 14 million Sinovac doses came under fire from former minister Rafidah Aziz yesterday.

People should not be made to pay for “what should be free”, said the former international trade and industry minister.

“Can the chairman of the vaccination committee please explain? No one should make money from the vaccines!” Rafidah said.

She added that it was strange that Putrajaya was treating the people differently as it had previously allocated funds to vaccinate the population. – July 23, 2021.