PETALING JAYA: While mega vaccination centres will help ramp up inoculation rates, more general practitioner (GP) clinics need to be roped in for the National Immunisation Programme, say health experts.
Universiti Malaya occupational and public health expert Prof Dr Victor Hoe said the mega vaccination centres were to “centralise the vaccination process and minimise logistics issues”.
“With the mega vaccination centres, each of the steps can be managed more efficiently. If the process is planned properly and executed well, it would be the best, ” he said.
He noted, however, that mega centres still faced the problem of large crowds and having the potential of spreading the Covid-19 virus, adding that the management needed to ensure that there would be no overcrowding.
“On top of the mega vaccination centres, the government should include the 7,000 general practitioner and family physician clinics around the country.
“The doctors have the medical history of their patients who are getting vaccinated. It would also be easier for these patients to consult the same doctor should they develop any side effects, ” he said.
These doctors, added Prof Hoe, would also be the best in explaining the risks and rewards of getting vaccinated.
“If we can decentralise the vaccine delivery, then more people can be vaccinated and we will be able to reach herd immunity faster, ” he said.
Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming from Universiti Malaya’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine agreed that mega vaccination centres should be one of the venues available to administer jabs.
“Mega vaccination centres will provide mass vaccinations to more people faster. Those who are fit and mobile will be able to receive their vaccination faster.
“However, it should not be the only choice. The elderly and chronically ill may have difficulty getting to the centres if they have no one to bring them.
“Vaccination should also be provided at local sites, such as community centres, GP clinics and pharmacies. Having these sites work hand in hand with mega centres will ensure faster vaccination rates, ” she said.
Prof Dr Maznah Dahlui, also from Universiti Malaya’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, said community clinics should be the main driver of the vaccination programme.
“Facilities with medical set-ups, such as health clinics and GPs, are suitable. They are mostly equipped with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) devices, ambulances and medical officers.
“Each health clinic can easily vaccinate about 50 to 100 people a day depending on size and location.
“Using mega facilities means you need to rent and usually the centres are far from those in rural areas who may have difficulty accessing such places, ” she said.
Meanwhile, it is all systems go for the country’s first Covid-19 mega vaccination centre at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), which opens its doors today.
Some 2,600 senior citizens will be vaccinated in a day under the initial trial phase, with the number of recipients expected to increase to 5,000 – or potentially, 8,000 – daily.
Mitec acting CEO Mala Dorasamy said the team was gearing up for the challenge of being the first mega vaccination centre in the country after conducting its full rehearsal yesterday.
“This is an unprecedented situation and so all parties involved in this will undergo challenges.
“The team was briefed and is actively engaged to explore any matter that we need to address. We are covering as much ground as we can.
“A full rehearsal was conducted by the medical teams, volunteers and the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force to ensure a comfortable and safe experience for everyone, ” she said when contacted yesterday.
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