LETTERS: There was a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel when Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their Covid-19 vaccine was 90 per cent effective against Covid-19 infection, while the Sputnik V vaccine from the Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia was, after the phase 3 clinical trial, 92 per cent effective.

Good news didn't stop there as Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine's interim data was 94.5 per cent effective in protecting against Covid-19 infection.

These are all higher than the Food and Drug Administration's threshold requirement of 50 per cent efficacy. This warrants a celebration, but it is too early to let our guard down.

The Health Ministry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry have been working hard to procure effective, safe and quality Covid-19 vaccines. 

However, there are many challenges. Malaysia's participation in the COVAX Covid-19 vaccine access plan, co-led by the World Health Organisation, will allow 10 per cent of Malaysia's population to gain access to a Covid-19 vaccine.

It will be prioritised for frontliners such as healthcare, security and defence personnel, and high-risk individuals, such as those with co-morbid medical conditions and senior citizens.

However, according to the WHO, 60 to 70 per cent of the population need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity and break the Covid-19 chain of transmission.

This means 19.6 million to 22.9 million Malaysians need to be vaccinated before life can revert to normal.

The government aims to kick start Covid-19 vaccinations by the first quarter of 2021.

But how long would it take to immunise the numbers required to break the chain of transmission? Would the private sector, such as the tourism and hospitality industries, be given the choice to buy the vaccine for their employees?

After the announcement of BioNTech and Pfizer's Phase 3 clinical trial results, the European Union signed an agreement to procure 300 million doses of the vaccine.

Another 100 million doses were secured by the US government via Operation Warp Speed.

However, the production capacity of BioNtech and Pfizer is only up to 50 million vaccines this year, and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of next year.

Can Malaysia compete to procure the limited number of vaccines amid high international demand?

Storage, transportation and distribution of vaccines will be a challenge because some may need very low temperature storage.

BioNTech and Pfizer's vaccine requires a storage temperature of -80°C.

The Sputnik V vaccine needs a storage temperature of not more than -18°C, and Moderna's vaccine requires a storage temperature of -20°C.

Do we have the technology and equipment to store, transport and distribute these heat-sensitive vaccines to rural areas?

Our approach in breaking the chain of transmission is by wearing face masks, physical distancing and washing hands regularly, which has shown to be 70 per cent effective in preventing the virus' transmission.

The process to go back to the pre-Covid-19 era will take time. Until then, continue with the 3Ws (wash hands, wear face masks and warn others) and 3Cs (avoid crowded places, confined spaces and close conversations). Don't let our guard down yet.

DR GAN RICK KYE

Perdana Fellow, Health Ministry

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2020/11/642678/time-factor-vaccination