Special Issue on Frontier Vaccine Technologies and Health Security in Malaysia

Introduction:

This Special Issue, “Frontier Vaccine Technologies and Health Security in Malaysia” examines Malaysia's efforts to strengthen vaccine development, manufacturing capacity and health security in the post-pandemic era. It brings together multidisciplinary insights on next-generation vaccine platforms and technologies, public policy and regulatory governance systems. 

Particular attention will be given to Malaysia's development of local vaccine capabilities and the broader lessons this may offer for other middle-income countries and the ASEAN region. We invite researchers, practitioners and policymakers to contribute original research, reviews, perspectives and policy analyses that can inform more resilient, equitable and sustainable approaches to vaccine preparedness and public health. 

This Special Issue will focus on two pillars:

Pillar 1: Frontier Vaccine Technologies

• Development, scaling, and manufacturing of next-generation vaccine platforms
• Technological innovations in cold-chain logistics, smart distribution, and stabilization for tropical climates and remote regions
• Biotechnology and infrastructure development
• Big data, AI, and digital tracking systems for real-time surveillance and safety monitoring

Pillar 2: Health Security Policy & Governance Frameworks

• Institutional frameworks and inter-ministerial coordination for pandemic preparedness and biosecurity
• National Immunisation Programme (NIP) and emerging infectious disease responses
• Regulatory modernization, accelerated safety approvals, and clinical trials
• Comparative policy analysis and blueprint for vaccine sovereignty in middle-income nations and the ASEAN region.
• Halal vaccine standards and certification
• Socio-political determinants of vaccine acceptance and healthcare equity
• Digital health governance, strategies & regulatory mechanisms to combat digital misinformation, medical disinformation and vaccine hesitancy

Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

Guest Editors: 

• Lead Guest Editor: Prof. Emeritus Datuk Ts Ir Dr Siti Hamisah binti Tapsir
  Email: Hamisah@ucsigroup.com.my
  Affiliation: UCSI University, Malaysia
• Co-Guest Editor 1: Prof. Ts. Dr. Lionel In Lian Aun
  Email: lionelin@ucsiuniversity.edu.my
  Affiliation: UCSI University, Malaysia
• Co-Guest Editor 2: Prof. Emeritus Datuk Ts. Dr. Rohana Yusof
  Email: rohanayusof@kpju.edu.my  
  Affiliation: KPJ Healthcare University, Malaysia
• Co-Guest Editor 3: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syahrilnizam bin Abdullah
  Email: syahril@nibm.my
  Affiliation: Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI), National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM), Malaysia