PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia may purchase more doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to cover up shortfalls caused by a possible disruption to its supply of AstraZeneca vaccines from Thailand.

       National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) said this was one of the country’s “Plan B” if Thailand decides to reduce the export of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in the country.

       “We are closely watching the developments on AstraZeneca in Thailand. We will discuss bilaterally with Thailand, who are good neighbours of ours, to ensure that our supply of AstraZeneca vaccines from Thailand is not disrupted.

       “But we have a Plan B, and that is to buy more vaccines from Sinovac. We have the ability to fill-and-finish Sinovac vaccines in the country already.

       “Pharmaniaga knows that in any contingency, we may call on them to produce for the Federal Government,” said Khairy at the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) weekly press conference on Friday (July 16).

       Khairy added that the country may procure Sinopharm vaccines from Duopharma Sdn Bhd, which had just received conditional approval from the Drug Control Authority on Friday.

       “If there is a need because the national vaccination programme has not enough supplies, we can also purchase from them,” said Khairy.

       Recently, it was reported that Thailand is considering limiting its exports of AstraZeneca vaccines that are manufactured in the country.