KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 -- Malaysia is reprotedly aiming to produce its first locally manufactured human vaccine as early as 2028, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang reportedly said.

The Star reported Chang as saying the vaccine would be a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV13, produced by Pharmaniaga Bhd through a technology transfer arrangement with a Chinese company.

The vaccine would protect against 13 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which can cause illnesses including pneumonia and meningitis.

Chang reportedly said that producing vaccines locally would lessen Malaysia's reliance on overseas supplies and improve its ability to respond to future public health crises.

"During the ...