Sigh of relief as walk-ins begin

PETALING JAYA: The government’s decision to allow walk-in vaccinations has proven popular, with many leaping at the chance to quickly protect themselves and their loved ones against Covid-19.

Zahariman Kamarul Zaman, 50, said the walk-in vaccination was a great move and that getting at least the first jab could protect himself and his family members.

“I have been waiting for my appointment since Feb 23.

“Once the government said walk-in vaccinations would be allowed from Aug 2, I did not waste any more time,” said Zahariman, a consultant.

“At home, I have grandchildren and other family members who are below 18 years old.

“We are worried about them, so it is important that we get vaccinated now,” he said, adding that most of his family members had already been vaccinated.

Siti Hasnah Abas, 57, from Gombak, said she felt safer with the walk-in vaccination.

“It was my son who told me that the government had announced walk-in vaccinations.

“I have been waiting for so long to get my appointment. My other family members are already vaccinated,” she added.

Her son Mohd Firdaus Mohd Shah, 27, took her to the vaccination centre (PPV) at KLCC.

“All of my family members, including my seven siblings and my father, already received their vaccination at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur PPV.

“Only my mother had been waiting for her appointment, so I brought her here instead,” Mohd Firdaus said.

Thangachhimah Pulendaram, 52, from Sentul said her husband and daughter had already gotten their jabs.

“I am happy that I finally got my vaccine dose today. The process was also smooth and convenient,” added Thangachhimah, who was accompanied by her daughter Shalu Asokan, 18.

Couple Lee Chak Wai, 45, and Lily Mah, 41, from Shah Alam said they had been waiting to get vaccinated for a long time.

“Previously, my appointment was cancelled as I was under quarantine and I needed to wait for another date,” Lee said, adding that the vaccination process at the PPV was smooth.

He also said the walk-in vaccination was very convenient.

The government had announced earlier that Malaysian citizens in the Klang Valley aged 40 and above or with comorbidities could get their Covid-19 vaccinations at several PPVs from Aug 2.

As of 5pm yesterday, the total number of people who came for walk-in vaccinations at the KLCC PPV stood at over 1,800.

The KLCC PPV walk-in session is open from 2pm to 8.30pm daily.

In Shah Alam, several hundred people lined up at the sixth floor carpark of the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) PPV as early as noon yesterday to get inoculated against Covid-19.

Some were there to receive their second dose of the vaccination while some were there for appointments for their first dose.

However, a majority of those who had gathered were walk-ins who had not yet received their appointment dates via the MySejahtera app.

Walk-ins at the IDCC PPV started at 2pm yesterday.

Azman Ismail and his wife Nooriza Abu Bakar, both in their 50s, arrived at the centre and joined the long queue at the car park at 1pm.

According to Azman, he and Nooriza had been initially scheduled to receive their first dose on July 17.

“But both of us and our four children tested positive for Covid-19 on July 16 and so we had to cancel our appointments and request for a new date.

“We had been waiting and since we have not been given the new dates yet, we decided to walk in and get vaccinated,” said Azman, who lives in Sungai Buloh.

R. Tamilchelvan, 56, said he too had not been able to receive his first dose scheduled for June 26.

“I went to the vaccination centre in Setia Alam for my first dose and when I told them I was allergic to bee venom, they told me it would be safer for me to get my vaccination at a hospital instead of at the PPV,” said Tamilchelvan, who arrived at IDCC at 12.30pm.

He added that he too had not been given a new date through MySejahtera.

“I am determined to get vaccinated today and will only leave after I’ve received the first dose,” said Tamilchelvan, who had travelled from his home in Puchong.

He was finally vaccinated well after 4pm and said he would be coming back on Aug 23 for his second shot.