The 5 Covid-19 Vaccines In Malaysia's National Vaccination Programme

On February 16, 2021, Malaysia's National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook was launched in a virtual ceremony by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

According to the handbook, the government aims for at least 80 per cent of Malaysia's adult population to be vaccinated by February 2022 to reduce the spread of the virus.

Here are some quick facts about the five varieties of Covid-19 vaccines available, which started rolling out on February 26. Here’s what the public should know about the five vaccines. For more info, go to: www.vaksincovid.gov.my.

1.Pfizer-BioNTech

Total no. of doses ordered: 32 million

Pfizer-BioNTech is a messenger RNA or mRNA vaccine.  A Covid-19 mRNA vaccine teaches the cells to produce a 'spike protein'. The body's immune system then recognises this protein and develops an antibody to protect against it. This vaccine only contains synthetic components, and not live virus.

2.AstraZeneca

Country of origin: UK

Total no. of doses ordered: 12.8 million

The AstraZeneca vaccine is a viral vector vaccine  which uses a modified virus to deliver a small portion of the virus' genetic code to the body's cells, teaching them to produce the spike protein found in the coronavirus, and build an immune response to it.

3.Sinovac

Country of origin: China

Total no. of doses ordered: 12 million

The Sinovac vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, which uses killed virus particles to trigger the body's immune response to a virus. Suitable for those with weak immune systems.

4.CanSino Biologics

Country of origin: China

Total no. of doses ordered: 3.5 million

The CanSinoBIO vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and it is the only vaccine amongst the five that can be administered in one shot.

5.Sputnik V

Country of origin: Russia

Total no. of doses ordered: 6.4 million

Type: A viral vector vaccine by Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute, the Sputnik V shot is administered in two doses around 21 days apart. It boasts an efficacy of 91.6 per cent and can be stored in standard refrigerators at temperatures of -2°C to -8°C.