Seniors demanding to choose vaccine slow down procedure

Some of the volunteers helping senior netizen to take the vaccine during first day of opening one of the four Covid-19 Vaccination Centre at Setia City Convention Centre, Setia Alam. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

SHAH ALAM: Several senior citizens who turned up for their vaccination appointments at the Setia City Convention Centre here didn’t want the vaccine offered to them and wanted others instead, says the centre’s spokesman.

The spokesman of the vaccination dispensing centre (PPV) management here said those who wanted to choose the vaccine brand were slowing the process.

“We have a few people who came and refused to take the jab.

“We were shocked because they had signed up and were given their slots.

“This is very sad because in these tough times, people should prioritise their own health first, ” the spokesman said.

Although they would be reinserted in the system and have their appointments rescheduled, the spokesman said there is no guarantee they will get the brand they prefer the next time around either.

“The back-and-forth they created has delayed things.

“People should realise that during this pandemic, any available vaccine is the best for now and they won’t be able to travel if they’re not healthy, ” he said.

The spokesman said the Setia City Convention Centre PPV began administering 2,000 doses of

vaccine daily yesterday and will have a gradual weekly increase

to bring this up to its maximum capacity of 8,000 doses a day next month.

The centre, which is open from 9am to 8pm daily, is one of the four mega vaccination centres in the Klang Valley that are now operational, as the country continues to accelerate its immunisation drive.

The three others are the KL Convention Centre, Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil and UiTM Puncak Alam.

Over at the UiTM Puncak Alam PPV, its director Dr Sazzli Kasim said it was smooth sailing as over 300 senior citizens had turned up as at 3pm.

“We were allocated to vaccinate 500 people daily for the first week and things went well, ” he said.

Dr Sazzli said the centre had received no rejection of Sinovac so far.

“Everybody agreed to take it.

“However, three people refused to be vaccinated due to health reasons, while two people reported dizziness after taking the jab and required medical attention, ” he added.

With about 20% of the community hall utilised currently, he said the vaccination capacity would be ramped up to its maximum of 5,000 people daily soon.

“This includes rolling out the drive-through vaccination service in three weeks’ time from the UiTM Hospital.”