Registration for Sinovac vaccine cannot be done at private clinics, says Perak MCA after viral message

IPOH: The Perak MCA was inundated with calls after a viral message claiming that a private clinic here was open for registration for the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.

Perak MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Low Guo Nan said recently, a viral message on WhatsApp stated that the registration for the vaccine could be done at a clinic in Ipoh Garden.

He said the message had claimed that those who have registered with the MySejahtera app, and were waiting for their turn, could register for the Sinovac vaccine at the clinic.

To clear the air, Low said the registration for the vaccine cannot be done at private clinics.

“I have been receiving a lot of calls from the public asking me if what is stated in the message is true.

“There were even some who wanted to go to the clinic to register to get the second dose of the Sinovac vaccine, despite them already getting the first dose of Pfizer, ” he said in a statement Sunday (May 23).

Low said after receiving so many calls, he checked with ProtectHealth - the Health Ministry’s appointed implementer of private medical practitioner participation in the national immunisation programme.

He said they confirmed that private medical practitioners involved in the programme are not allowed to advertise for vaccine registrations at their facilities.

“The type of vaccines a person will receive depends on the supply, and not as stated in the WhatsApp message that Sinovac vaccine will be given to those who registered at the clinic, ” he added.

He said there are only three ways to register for the vaccination - through MySejahtera, via the JKJAV website at www.vaksincovid.gov.my/daftar/ or by calling the hotline [phone].

He hoped the state Health Department would look into the matter seriously, enlightening the public on the viral message.