KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has welcomed the contribution of one million Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine doses from the United States (US).
The vaccine is expected to arrive in Malaysia tomorrow (July 5).
"On behalf of the Government of Malaysia, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to my counterpart, His Excellency Antony Blinken and the Government of the United States for the generous contribution of its Covid -19 vaccines," said Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said the vaccines will greatly intensify Malaysia's vaccination process and make meaningful progress to the ongoing rollout of the country's National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
The US through its Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has also extended various assistance and contributions to Malaysia since the start of the pandemic last year, including the in-kind contribution of medical supplies, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and ICT equipment, worth USD 250,000 (RM1.04 Million).
Hishammuddin said Malaysia is highly appreciative of the invaluable support extended thus far by the United States and hopefully the close and friendly ties will be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of both nations.
"As conveyed earlier in my letter on June 4, 2021 to Secretary Blinken, I would also like to reiterate that Malaysia welcomes President Joe Biden's June 3 announcement of the United States' expression of support for temporary waiver of the Intellectual Property (IP) protection on Covid-19 vaccines," said Hishammuddin in a statement, here today.
He added that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had also announced in his address to the Nikkei International Conference in May 2021 of Malaysia's support for the IP protection waiver for Covid-19 vaccines.
"In the common pursuit for equitable global access to Covid-19 vaccines, Malaysia stands ready to establish all-round cooperation with the United States in vaccine research, development, and distribution," he said.