KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has contacted eight Covid-19 vaccine developers whose inoculation is now in the third phase of clinical trials.
In a joint statement with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, it said the vaccine supplies were scheduled to be obtained in the first quarter of 2021.
"The priority is to inoculate the frontliners first in the health and security sectors. This includes doctors, nurses as well as police, prison and immigration personnel," the ministries said.
The ministries also said that the government was also finalising talks with the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) plan under the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI), the alliance that manages the initiative.
"We are preparing the financial allocations for the purpose of buying vaccine under the Finance Ministry's Covid-19 fund."
"We are committed in obtaining a decision immediately to get the vaccine, this is to ensure the country does not miss out in getting a safe vaccine which is approved and proven to be safe."
Meanwhile, the statement also announced that the Vaccine Supplies Access Guarantee Special Committee that is jointly helmed by ministers Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba met for the first time today.
The meeting involved four sub-committees which sees the involvement of various ministries and agencies.
The committees are related to the national vaccination policy, suitable vaccine selection, logistics registration, vaccine development, financial and procurement as well as communication involving vaccine procurement.