Not T-shirts: You can't just buy Covid-19 vaccines online, says Khairy

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) says he is disappointed with those who are politicising the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

In a virtual media conference, Khairy said that the accusation that the Federal Government is blocking vaccine purchases by Penang state government levelled against him by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and former finance minister Lim Guan Eng is baseless and irresponsible.

He said he welcomed efforts of any party to acquire vaccines but said that these were controlled items and could not be easily be purchased like T-shirts from e-shopping platforms.

"Vaccines need the approval of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

Do not politicise the national immunisation programme. This is bogus but I am willing to be proven wrong.

"If the Penang government can prove that this offer from this 'Yong Chee Kong' is genuine, I will give immediate approval for these vaccines to be brought into the country," he said.

Khairy said he had given his best effort and fullest cooperation to all state governments, including those of Selangor, Sabah, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak.

"However, as I stated, the Federal Government's reservations for the vaccines must be prioritised.

"If there are offers for state government and as such, I will support it but they must understand that their reservations will only be fulfilled after the vaccines for Federal government immunisation programme has been filled.

"We have enough supply of vaccines and we can complete the immunisation programme by the end of this year," said Khairy.