MALAYSIA will receive 2.7 million doses of the new generation (bivalent) Covid-19 vaccine as replacement for the almost expired stock being kept by the Ministry of Health (MOH). 

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said although Malaysia was able to replace the vaccines, only 2.5% of the population had taken the second booster shot. Therefore, MOH may need to destroy the expired vaccines, he added. 

He said this when winding-up the debate on the White Paper on Covid-19 Vaccine Procurement before it was approved by the Dewan Rakyat today. 

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had previously said the Health Ministry was still negotiating the matter of the vaccines with Pfizer Sdn Bhd. 

Lukanisman said the additional purchase and receipt of vaccine donations from foreign countries contributed to the surplus of vaccines and this was not according to the plan under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).

He said as of June 1, there were 8.5 million vaccines of various brands that had expired at MOH facilities and vaccine storage warehouses. 

“The disposal process and reporting on vaccine stocks are carried out in accordance with the Asset Management Procedures and Store Management Procedures in force. Monitoring of vaccine disposal is also carried out periodically,” he said. 

He also said a total of 84.4% of the population received the complete primary dose, 50% received a booster dose while 2.5% received a second booster dose as at May 30.

He said from December 2020 to April 30, 2023 the government spent RM5.885 billion, of which RM5.348 billion was through the MOH, while another RM537.5 million was through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for the implementation of PICK including PICKids.

In addition, he said the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Division had received 26,717 reports of adverse events following immunisation from February 2021 until April 30, 2023 and only 1,868 reports (7%) involved serious adverse effects. 

On the special financial assistance for Covid vaccine side effects, he said 319 applications were received and 150 of them had been approved involving a total payment of RM2.5 million until May 31. – Bernama, June 12, 2023.