News

Malaysia Calls For Global Vaccine Equity – Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Malaysia calls for the World Bank to be a strong voice for developing countries for global vaccine equity.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin said that the hoarding of vaccines by the industrialised countries was immoral and the move had fallen short of respectable and responsible global leadership.

“We are appreciative of the donations that we will be receiving from advanced countries in the coming weeks but this does not do away with what has taken place over the last few months and that is the cornering of the vaccine market.

“We set up COVAX in a global solidarity as a mechanism of vaccine equity and that has been an abysmal failure and I think the World Bank owes it to the developing countries to be a strong voice on vaccine equity in the global stage,” he said in a special address at the launch of the Malaysia Economic Monitor – June 2021 Edition held virtually today.

Khairy also noted the need for renewed solidarity and urgency to narrow vaccine equity gaps that were leaving low- and middle-income countries behind.

“We call for vaccine equity now and in the future. That is the only way we are going to emerge from this pandemic and future pandemic,” said Khairy, who is also a Coordinating Minister of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme.

Meanwhile, he said the government aims to get 60 per cent of the population vaccinated by end-September while also continuing to support firms and preserve jobs for the rakyat through various relief packages.

Khairy said the government was rapidly increasing the number of vaccination centres (PPVs) to speed up the rollout of the immunisation programme as well as setting up a number of mega PPVs to ramp up the vaccination rate.

He said there was also a target of an additional 1,000 general practitioners from the private sector to start to administer vaccines by June 30, as the government continuously increase the number of PPVs.

“The government is confident of administering 11 million doses in July, 13 million doses by the end of August 2021 and a further eight million doses by the end of September.

“Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible in our deployment of the vaccine,” he said.

Khairy said while the immunisation plan is to come to fruition, the government will continue to support firms and preserve jobs for the rakyat through various relief packages such as the latest package is Permerkasa+, worth RM40 billion.

He noted that the support from the government aimed to help the private sector remain resilient for the immediate term.

Sources: BERNAMA

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Toshiba Turns 95 with a Giant Fridge, Big Vibes & A Spot in the Malaysia Book of Records

Who says anniversaries are just cake and candles? For Toshiba’s 95th Anniversary Dealer Convention, it… Read More

2 hours ago

Resorts World Sentosa’s Singapore Oceanarium Introduces New Experiences As Ticket Sales Go Live

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS, 圣淘沙名胜世界) has announced that ticket sales have launched for Singapore Oceanarium… Read More

2 hours ago

Barista Brews at Prices You Won’t Believe Exist

Think handcrafted coffee always comes with a hefty price tag? Think again. Across Malaysia, cafés… Read More

2 hours ago

POCO Introduces POCO F7: Where Futuristic Design Meets Exceptional Power

POCO, a leading technology brand among young tech enthusiasts, today unveiled POCO F7, setting a… Read More

2 hours ago

Proton Owners Hit the Road for Wellness: AG Autoworld x Herbal Farmer Flag Off First-Ever Fun Drive in Johor

What do you get when you mix wellness, good vibes, and 30 Proton cars? A… Read More

3 hours ago

OMSMC Earns Spot in Newsweek’s Global Hospital Rating 2025

Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre (OMSMC) has been listed in Newsweek’s Global Hospital Rating 2025,… Read More

7 hours ago

This website uses cookies.