IPOH: The Health Ministry has stocked up enough supplies of vaccines for polio and acellular pertussis, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam yesterday.
"There is a global problem in supply of vaccine for immunisation and we are trying our best to resolve the problem," he said.
"We had several discussions with suppliers and concessionaires to settle the matter.
"So far, we managed to find a short-term solution and managed to have enough supplies for the time being," he said after attending a Ponggal celebration here.
He assured that the National Children Immunisation Programme would continue without a hitch.
It was reported that there was a shortage of 5-in-1 (DTaP/IPV/HiB) children's vaccine (for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and haemophilus influenza type B) faced by private health facilities since June last year.
In a separate matter, Subramaniam said his ministry is expected to have its budget cut between RM250 million and RM300 million, following the revised 2016 Budget expected to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak next week.
"We will cut down overseas trip for attending conferences, training, and meetings as part of our cost cutting measures," he said.