Arrival of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in M’sia brings hope of ending pandemic, says Health D-G
KUALA LUMPUR: The arrival of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Malaysia yesterday marks a new dawn in the country’s fight against Covid-19 as it offers hope that the people will again join forces in a bid to end the pandemic, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Describing the arrival of the vaccine at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as a historic occasion, he said it was symbolic of all the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices in facing the pandemic all this while.
“It’s a new dawn, a new frontier, different battlefront and an additional strategy to fight against the virus, giving a glimmer of hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said in a Facebook post, after witnessing the arrival of the vaccine.
Dr Adham (second right) and Dr Noor Hisham (second left) pose with the boxes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the KLIA Advanced Cargo Centre. — Bernama photo
Also present at KLIA to witness the arrival of the vaccine were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Coordinating Minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin, and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Dr Noor Hisham also thanked frontliners and Health Ministry personnel for their dedication and perseverance in the battle against the pandemic.
He prayed for the Almighty to bless and protect them and grant them strength in discharging their duties.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
Flight MH604, bearing the Jalur Gemilang livery to symbolise the vaccine is for Malaysians, landed at 10.07am with the first batch of 312,390 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The Passenger-to-Cargo (P2C) flight used an Airbus 330-300, operated by MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo), the cargo arm of national carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Dr Noor Hisham will be among the first to receive the vaccine when the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme is rolled out on Wednesday ahead of schedule.
Since the first Covid-19 infection was reported in Malaysia on Jan 25, 2020, a total of 1,051 deaths related to the virus have been reported as of Saturday.
A total of 280,272 people have been infected so far but 244,753 have recovered.
Meanwhile in a statement after the arrival of the vaccine, Dr Noor Hisham said the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine is the first Covid-19 vaccine given conditional registration approval by the Drug Control Authority (DCA) and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) after going through the proper evaluation process and its use will be closely monitored.
He said the vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech – Comirnaty Concentrate for Dispersion For Injection – was approved on Jan 8 this year.
“Among the criteria examined by DCA and NPRA are the safety profile of the vaccine, its quality, safety and efficacy.
“The Health Ministry is always committed to ensuring the safety and prioritising the health of Malaysians by monitoring and examining all medicines including vaccines procured,” he said.
He said the conditional registration was given to provide immediate access to the Covid-19 vaccine during the pandemic period using a ‘risk-based approach’, without compromising on quality, safety and efficacy.
Dr Noor Hisham said other criteria for allowing the conditional approval include that the vaccine has been registered or given emergency-use authorisation by the regulatory body of the producing country or the regulatory reference body DCA or the World Health Organisation (WHO). – Bernama