Bernama quoted the prime minister as saying that the health ministry, with Khairy Jamaluddin at the helm, will handle PICK and the nation’s health strategy.

Meanwhile, the science, technology and innovation ministry (Mosti) will focus on research and development to produce Malaysia’s own Covid-19 vaccines.

The previous health minister, Dr Adham Baba, is the incoming science, technology and innovation minister. The new Cabinet ministers will be sworn in on Monday.

“While the vaccine administration process was jointly managed by the health ministry, Mosti and the Covid-19 vaccine supply access guarantee special committee (JKJAV), it will be managed by only one ministry from now onwards.

“Mosti will focus on research and development to produce our own vaccines. This is important because Covid-19 has become endemic, like dengue.

“Hence, it is very important for us to produce our own vaccines to ensure a sufficient supply of vaccines for the people,” Ismail said.

Adham had come under fire for various gaffes during his tenure as the health minister, most recently involving a mix-up between the terms “Spanish flu” and “Spanish fly”, the latter being the nickname of a sex stimulant.

He had also been much-ridiculed last year for advocating drinking warm water to kill off the Covid-19 virus during a television programme and for saying he had gone on a World Health Organization conference call with 500 countries.

Meanwhile, health experts had welcomed Khairy’s appointment to the health portfolio, saying the Rembau MP had proven himself in managing PICK.

Former health director-general Dr Ismail Merican had also urged for the vaccination programme to be put under the ministry after Khairy takes over.

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