KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will buy Covid-19 vaccines via government-linked companies (GLCs) in the event of any shortfall in supplies, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pic).

       The state Covid-19 spokesperson said this was part of fresh initiatives drawn up by the state Cabinet amid growing community spread, sparked by the rising number of cases.

       With a new target of reaching herd immunity by October, Masidi said the state Cabinet made the decision after being briefed by Sabah health director Dr Rose Nani Mudin on the latest pandemic situation during a meeting earlier Wednesday (Aug 11).

       While the state Cabinet was informed by the Sabah health director that the vaccines sent to Sabah are on schedule with 1.5 million doses expected for August, there were valid sources stating that Pfizer vaccine production might be affected, impacting countries that used this vaccine brand, including Malaysia.

       "The state government will ask GLCs to use part of their business profits to buy vaccines for their workers, and the rest to be donated to qualified people in Sabah.

       "The spending on vaccine purchase will be deducted from the annual dividends normally paid by GLCs to the state government yearly," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

       At the same time, private entities, especially major plantation companies, are encouraged to conduct corporate social responsibility (CSR) towards their employees by buying vaccines for them, without waiting for the government's vaccination, stressed Masidi.

       "We are aware that a large number (80%) of the plantation workers are foreign labour.

       "This CSR or charity move will help to expedite immunisation to all adult population in Sabah, regardless of their citizenship.

       "Sabah government is ready to consider allowing large plantations that succeeded in vaccinating 100% of their workers (including families), to operate with 100% manpower capacity," he added.

       Companies who wish to purchase vaccines for their staff can directly contact the state government-owned entity, Qhazanah Sabah Sdn Bhd (Warisan Harta SB) which has been appointed by Pharmaniaga Bhd as Sinovac vaccine seller representative in Sabah.

       Masidi reiterated that the Covid-19 virus is already spreading within the community and no longer at isolated localities that can be easily contained with lockdowns.

       He added that Dr Rose Nani said new measures must take into consideration that a movement control order is no longer the main approach towards stopping the virus transmission, and to introduce policies which “balance lives and livelihoods” in order to restore the state's economy.

       As of Tuesday (Aug 10), 42% of Sabah's targeted population have received their first dose, while 18.1% have been fully inoculated as of Aug 9.