KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM3.9bil has been allocated by the government for the procurement of 79.9 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, which was implemented through a contractual agreement, says Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He expressed appreciation to Japan, the United States, China and Britain for their contribution of 2.9 million vaccine doses.
"God willing, the government is targeting 100% immunisation for all of our adult population by this October.
"This (100% immunisation target) is the most important target in ensuring the success of the National Recovery Plan," he said during the ministerial briefing at the Dewan Rakyat Thursday (July 29).
He said on average, Malaysia has administered about 400,000 doses daily.
"In fact, we have reached an average of more than 550,000 doses a day. The boost in the vaccination rate is based on the efforts of all sides," he added.
On vaccine procurement, Tengku Zafrul said he had met with the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday (July 28) to explain the transparency of the vaccine procurement process.
Meanwhile, the government also allocated RM3.7bil to the Health Ministry as the leading institution tasked to maintain public health, and as part of its Covid-19 pandemic expenditure, excluding the procurement of vaccines.
Tengku Zafrul said among others, RM1.6bil were allocated under the Prihatin package; RM1.4bil under Budget 2021, while an additional RM500mil was allocated under the Pemerkasa Plus package.
"The Federal Government has also channelled a special allocation to all states worth an estimated RM260mil," he added.
He also expressed his appreciation to all frontliners who continued to ensure that the public healthcare system did not paralyse during this critical period.
"Under the Permai package, a total of RM150mil was allocated to add more than 3,500 medical staff to the Health Ministry.
"The government had also agreed to allocate RM1.2bil to extend the services of more than 14,000 medical officers and nurses who are under existing contracts
"Aside from that, a total of 500 health officers who have undergone mandatory retirement were also re-appointed," he said.
He added that due to the government's concern, the special allowance for healthcare workers at the vaccination centres was adjusted at RM600.
"In total, the government had allocated a total of RM300mil for this purpose," he said.
