BINTULU: The first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Malaysia in the middle of February, marking a crucial step to vaccinate the population against the pandemic.
This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Health Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang today (Jan 30) after witnessing a ‘Dry Run’ of the vaccine delivery at Bintulu Hospital.
The dry run of the Covid-19 vaccine held today was the second after Belaga on Friday.
Aaron said that the Federal government had set aside RM3 billion for the shipment of the first batch of the vaccine involving 100 million doses produced by the United States (US).
“Shipments are expected to arrive in Malaysia in the middle of February with the first 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine to be given to healthcare and front-line workers, while the remaining 500,000 doses to the elderly and vulnerable patients,” he explained in a press conference held after the dry run programme.
The programme involved transporting bottles of saline at minus 75 degrees Celsius to Bintulu Hospital via road from Kuching.
On the programme, Aaron expressed his satisfaction as it proved that the temperature (of the vaccine) could be maintained.
He revealed that Malaysia has received 43 units of the top loader refrigerator for storing the vaccine of which nine units would be for Sarawak.
“Each division will receive one unit of the top loading refrigerator for storing the vaccine,” Aaron explained.
Also present during the press conference were Bintulu Hospital director Dr Davis Johnraj, Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat, Health officer Dr Melvin Chung, director emerging market policy and public affairs (Malaysia/Brunei/Pakistan) Syarikat Pfizer Malaysia, Zuriayah Zainal Abidin.
