PUTRAJAYA: The first batch of Covid-19 vaccines will arrive at the KL International Airport (KLIA) on Sunday, ahead of the biggest-ever nationwide immunisation exercise that is scheduled to begin five days later on Feb 26.
An Airbus A330-300, of national carrier Malaysia Airlines, will fly in 312,390 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the first shipment.
The aircraft with have Jalur Gemilang (national flag) livery to symbolise pride as the cargo heads to Malaysians.
The delivery will take place at the Advanced Cargo Centre (ACC) of KLIA.
Several ministers will be present for the cargo's arrival, including Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the Coordinating Minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme; and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The unit load device (ULD) or freight container with the vials of the vaccine will be transferred to a five-tonne truck of a transportation company.
The truck, under heavy police escort, will then proceed to the vaccine storage facility, hitherto undisclosed for security reasons.
All those involved in taking delivery of the vaccine, such as MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo); the Health Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; and Transport Ministry, are busy making preparations to ensure a smooth process on Sunday.
MASkargo, which has been tasked with coordinating the delivery of the vaccine at KLIA, has vowed to carry out the vaccine management process in accordance with the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that the effectiveness of the vaccine is not compromised. – BERNAMA