PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has the potential to produce the Covid-19 vaccine in cooperation with countries that are currently working towards developing the inoculation against the deadly virus.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the government is in the midst of discussing the development of a Covid-19 vaccine with nations which have the capability to manufacture them.
“We have identified about two to three countries. If Malaysia is chosen as a research hub for Covid-19 vaccine development, we are ready to share facilities, data and resources.
“But once we have developed the vaccine, we have to first conduct research and clinical trials to study the effectiveness of the vaccine and if it has any side effects.
“We are ready to accept the vaccine for trials and research in the country,” he said at a press conference, here, today.
Dr Noor Hisham also said if researchers had identified a Covid-19 vaccine, Malaysia could look into manufacturing it here.
“We probably do not have the capability to manufacture or have not considered manufacturing vaccines as of now.
“But if the (vaccine) formula already exists and has been identified, we can manufacture the vaccine in our country. This could be a possibility with the cooperation of other nations.
“If we work together, we can contribute our data towards research and although we lack the basic resources to develop the vaccine, we can contribute in terms of vaccine manufacturing.”
Dr Noor Hisham said such an effort will also ensure Malaysia is given priority in procuring the vaccine for Covid-19 treatment in the country.
Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on April 21 said Malaysia had identified several countries with which to form a collaboration and strategic partnership in the development of a vaccine for Covid-19.
The countries include China, the United Kingdom, South Korea, India, Bosnia and Russia.
He said some of the countries had already contacted Malaysia to express interest in collaborating on clinical trials for the Covid-19 vaccine once ready.
Malaysia, he said, is suitable to be involved in the human trial process because it is a multi-racial country that has all Covid-19 traits (A,B and C).