YONG: MALAYSIANS EAGER TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES

15 NOV 2020

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians have been eagerly waiting to know more about the path towards the availability of Covid-19 vaccines as neighbouring countries have laid out their plans and timeline for the start of vaccinating their populations, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee

Yong added that currently the only information about the vaccine are from the mainstream news reports which stated that the Covid-19 vaccines will be available by the end of this year or early next year.

“Therefore, all eyes and ears are on the vaccines,” said the former chief minister in a statement here today.

He noted that some neighbouring countries have already motion their plans such as Indonesia, where they have set aside Rupiah 34.23 trillion (RM900 million) to procure vaccines for the end of this year and next year.

Singapore has also set up a Committee on Vaccines and the Philippines has started third stage trials on vaccines.

“Meanwhile, Russia, China, and some South American countries have outlined their plans on the procurement and use of Covid-19 vaccines. Even the United States of America (USA) is on the verge of announcing its plans.

“Why is our health authority so relatively quiet on the issue of vaccines? The vaccine is the long-awaited prevention of the virus infection and answers to the sufferings of the people.

“It is high time that the health authorities on the matter of Covid-19 vaccines give authoritative information on the progress of the procurement of vaccines for use by Malaysians,” he explained.