This is particularly true in the Klang Valley, where over 97% of the adult population has received their first dose, a figure reached after Operation Surge Capacity was launched to stem infections in the worst hit region of the country.

President of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia Dr Kuljit Singh said the government allowing walk-in vaccination at government-run centres has also made it “less attractive for anyone to seek private vaccination at a cost”.

He said the group hopes vaccines from a wider range of manufacturers will be available to the private market soon, as only Sinopharm’s vaccine is currently available to be procured by the private sector.

This would cater to those who want a particular type of vaccine, and would better allow them to accommodate booster shots in the future if they are required.

Last month, vaccine minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that Malaysia would allow the commercial sale of vaccines, and said that in addition to Sinovac, Sinopharm’s vaccine would soon be available for purchase by the public.