According to a report by The Edge, National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the private sector vaccination program would start in August.

Plans were always there to allow the private sector to vaccinate Malaysians, but they could not go ahead with it due to a delay in the global COVID-19 vaccine supply explained Khairy.

“I also anticipate that by August, we will have a private vaccine market. Right now, it is difficult to have (a) private (market) because vaccines (are in) short supply but I think that by August there will be some companies approved to bring in some private vaccines from China. I know Sinofarm and all that are going to be registered here. So, once we have the private (vaccines), if you want to go fast, you pay lah," he said.

He added that he had also instructed a GLC pharmaceutical company to start talks with Chinese companies to import vaccines to the private market.

“I have been talking to the Ministry of Health to ensure that the private market can take off,” he said.

Focussing on the targets

As Malaysia ramps up our COVID-19 immunisation programme, we are adding more PPVs of all types: mega, micro, mosque (and other places of worship) & mobile units. pic.twitter.com/9RCc2ds0Hy

— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) June 18, 2021

Khairy also reaffirmed that the government plans to vaccinate 40% of the country by the end of August and 60% by the end of September this year.

He said that the faster Malaysia achieved the 40% target, the more industries will be allowed to operate.

“I believe we can start thinking about opening borders once other countries are confident with our management (in handling) COVID-19,” said Khairy.

Sounds like great news to us especially since new COVID-19 cases have been averaging around the 5,000 mark recently.