Developing and Sustaining a National Halal COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative: Exploring the Strategic Ecosystem – Malaysian Armed Forces Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic spurred countries worldwide writhing for vaccines and vaccine development. In Malaysia, the need for vaccine self-sufficiency became pronounced. However, technological capacity, financial resource and qualified personnel are the barriers. Religious concern on vaccination and antivaxxers affected the government’s effort to achieve mass vaccine voluntary utilisation. This study aims to propose the Malaysia’s framework of Halal Vaccine Ecosystem and identifies all stakeholders from the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (MAF) strategic perspective. This framework serves Malaysia to amalgamate its ecosystem players to become an organised halal vaccine producer, as literature is scarse and players worked in isolation. This study is done using qualitative approach based upon content analysis design. Based on the study, supply chain actors, government/private agencies/stakeholders, processes and activities are identified. Strong support from the government in vaccine and clinical development does exist. Malaysia has relevant legislations and regulatory authority (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency) to provide command, control and enforcement. The MS2424:2019 Halal Pharmaceuticals Guideline developed by Standards Malaysia and manuals by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) guide halal certification
implementation. The MAF brought the actors and stakeholders together creating conducive and collaborative environment for halal vaccine development, thus promoting national security, economy, wellness and sustainability. Malaysia aims to lead the world as the halal vaccine champion.
Keywords: halal pharmaceutical; vaccine; ecosystem; COVID-19; sustainability; security