PUTRAJAYA spent a total of RM4.64 billion to cover vaccine costs and logistics up to September 1, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said.

“A total of 87.9 million doses of vaccine were ordered by the Ministry of Health through the Covax Facility and in direct negotiations with several Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers,” Khairy told the Dewan Negara in a written reply to senator Suresh Singh yesterday.

He added that the Malaysian government has also received a donation of 2.91 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from Japan, United States, China and the United Kingdom.

Putrajaya is also expected to receive contributions from the governments of Singapore and Saudi Arabia which are still under discussions, he said.

Last week, Khairy was reported to have said that the government would take a stern approach against those who refuse the vaccine, by “continuing to impose various difficulties” on them.

The minister was referring to the problems faced by those who refuse the vaccine, which include restrictions imposed not only in Malaysia but also in other countries. – October 21, 2021.