May 27, 2021 - 4:04 AM
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) â Malaysia has procured more vaccines and aims to accelerate inoculations starting next month, a Cabinet minister said Thursday, as the government struggles to contain a worsening coronavirus crisis.
Science Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the government has bought an additional 12.8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, bringing the total to 44.8 million doses, enough to cover 70% of Malaysiaâs population.
Over 11 million people, or about a third of the population, have registered for vaccinations but only 1.7 million have received at least one dose.
Khairy said the vaccines will be delivered over the next few months, allowing the government to increase inoculations to 150,000 a day starting in June.
Malaysia buys more vaccine to accelerate virus inoculations
May 27, 2021
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1of6A medical worker collects swab sample from a child during coronavirus testing at a COVID-19 testing center in Shah Alam, outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, May 27, 2021. Malaysia s latest coronavirus surge has been taking a turn for the worse as surging numbers and deaths have caused alarm among health officials, while cemeteries in the capital are dealing with an increasing number of deaths.Vincent Thian/APShow MoreShow Less
2of6Malaysians wait outside a community hall for coronavirus testing at a COVID-19 testing center in Shah Alam, outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, May 27, 2021. Malaysia s latest coronavirus surge has been taking a turn for the worse as surging numbers and deaths have caused alarm among health officials, while cemeteries in the capital are dealing with an increasing number of deaths.Vincent Thian/APShow MoreShow Less