The former prime minister noted that each clinic was currently paid RM14 for each dose, and that many private clinics had opted not to take part in the national roll-out due to high additional costs.

“My opinion is that it is still worthwhile for the government and country to increase this rate to RM20 or RM25 per dose,” he said in a Facebook post.

The Pekan MP said this was a cheaper and faster solution than setting up more vaccination centres, adding that it could help Malaysia achieve herd immunity more quickly.

According to Najib, making use of the 7,000 private clinics nationwide would allow the country to administer over 500,000 doses a day.

He also said mega vaccination centres pose a higher risk of becoming new Covid-19 clusters.

“We can reduce this risk by maximising the involvement of private clinics.

“It is also more convenient and comfortable because the people would be familiar with the nearest clinic to their location.”