Foreigners join locals for jabs on last day of Movak 2.0 programme

Individuals waiting to be vaccinated under Movak 2.0 programme at Dewan Sri Pinang, George Town. — KT. GOH/The Star

ODD-JOB worker Ho Chee Wah finally got his Covid-19 vaccine dose at Dewan Sri Pinang in Penang, having missed countless of opportunities before this.

The 59-year-old took his first jab on the last day of the walk-in vaccination under the Community Vaccine Mobilisation (Movak) 2.0 programme on Sunday.

“I was initially hesitant to take the vaccine although I do not have major health issues.

“Those around me, including my brother and mother who is in her 80s, have been vaccinated except me.

“We were not keen on getting vaccinated in the beginning.

Jagdeep (standing, left) with MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang (in light blue) observing a vaccine recipient get his jab on board one of the buses stationed at Dewan Sri Pinang.

“But after listening to friends and in view of the high number of Covid-19 cases in the state, we decided to get ourselves vaccinated.

“Fortunately, they allow walk-ins now, so I managed to get my jab,” he said when met at the hall.

Another walk-in recipient was foreign worker Morshed Mafuza Begum Dulal, 35, who was happy to have finally gotten his dose.

“I have worked at various construction sites here for 10 years now and upon learning about the walk-in vaccination, I came immediately,” he said.

A total of 6,924 people have registered for the vaccination under the Movak 2.0 programme.

Some foreign workers brought their family members along when going for the walk-in jabs.

State local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said out of the number, a total of 3,501 people or 67.3% were vaccinated as of Saturday.

He said 934,492 people or 68.4% of the adult population in Penang had received both doses, while 1.25 million people or 91.6% had received at least one dose.

He added that the state would now work on the vaccination exercise involving teenagers in the fourth week of this month as announced by the Health Ministry.

“For Penang, our teenagers will be getting their vaccines in the coming weeks and we are looking forward to it,” he said.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had earlier said that the vaccination exercise involving teenagers would be carried out at schools in the fourth week of September.

Separately, Jagdeep said he would be meeting Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican to discuss affordable housing and maintenance issues.

“We will be requesting funds for various allocations of up to RM150mil.

“Besides discussing funds, we will be seeking legal perspectives from the Federal Government on the Urban Regeneration Project since our first project at Mahsuri Flats in Bayan Baru is set to take off early next year,” he said.