Volunteers sad to say goodbye, elated at vaccination success as Penang mega PPV closes doors

Photo: Bernama

GEORGE TOWN (Bernama): Volunteers serving at Penang's mega vaccination centre (PPV), at Setia SPICE Convention Centre could be seen fighting back tears on their last day on duty there, as it will be officially closed Thursday (Oct 7).

The PPV, which has been operating for the last 66 days and has the capacity to administer 5,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses a day, will be closed for good, following the announcement by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Monday (Oct 4) that there was no need for mega PPVs to continue administering the Covid-19 vaccine, as the majority of the people are now fully vaccinated.

Volunteers from the Malaysia Vaccine Support Volunteers (MyVAC) Nor Amirah Farhanim Abdul Rahim, 20; Izzat Arif Aiman Abdul Samad, 23; Kirtishaa Shanmuganathan, 20; and Izzatun Munira Habibnullah, 23; all expressed mixed emotions on the last day of being stationed at the mega PPV.

"I feel sad that this experience has to come to an end because it has taught me a lot, but at the same time, I feel happy and contented because I am able to help ease people’s journey in getting vaccinated,” Nor Amirah told Bernama Wednesday (Oct 6).

Sharing the same sentiment, Izzat Arif said that the volunteers were like a big family at the PPV, and he was sad that this would be their last day together.

Recalling her experience, Izzatun Munira said that being a volunteer at the PPV taught her many lessons, among others, on how to be patient and control her emotions.

"As this is a mega PPV, we come across people from all walks of life, and all of these people have different needs, which sometimes really tests my patience.

"However, I managed to keep my cool because I realise that as MyVAC volunteers, we represent various parties such as the Health Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; Youth and Sports Ministry; Higher Education Ministry and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS),” she added.

For Kirtishaa being a volunteer helped her shape herself into someone who is good with time management, as she is juggling between her online classes at university and being a volunteer at the PPV.

A volunteer from the Malaysia Civil Defence Department, Chin How Zet, 25, said that the mega PPV was his third, after the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang PPV and Tapak Pesta PPV.

"Doing this job is a good opportunity for us to give back to society, and continue to help our country to boost the economy faster. If more people get vaccinated, this means that more economic sectors will be allowed to resume operation,” he said.

Meanwhile, state Health, Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin confirmed the closure of the Setia SPICE PPV and said that adolescents, aged between 12 and 17 years old, would be administered the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Spice Arena PPV. - Bernama