It was discovered that only about eight per cent came for the appointment at the vaccine administering centre in the Balik Pulau Sports Complex. – Bernama photo
BALIK PULAU (June 30): A group of volunteers called ‘Krew Perihatin Vaksin’, has been going round the villages here since last week to ensure that the elderly get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The initiative was taken after finding that out of the 91 per cent of Balik Pulau’s residents who had registered for vaccination, only about eight per cent came for the appointment at the vaccine administering centre in the Balik Pulau Sports Complex.
Teluk Bahang assemblyman, Zolkifly Md. Lazim said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) which set up the voluntary group comprising 35 individuals, had established cooperation with local companies to assist the elderly aged 60 and above register for vaccination and bring them to the PPV for the injection.
“We went into the villages to assist those who had not registered and the next day, we took them to the PPV using our own vehicles in an effort to achieve herd immunity. We also did the same for those who had registered but do not have transport to get to the PPV,” he told reporters, here, today.
Zolkifly said the PPV in the area had the capacity of administering about 800 doses of the vaccine per day but only about 400 turned up for their vaccination appointment.
“However, after the direct vaccination registration programme was carried out, the PPV in Balik Pulau managed to administer about 700 doses of the vaccine per day,” he added.
He also said that beginning tomorrow, the volunteers and staff of the Ministry of Health would be administering the vaccine from house to house for invalid or ill villagers who were unable to go to the PPV for their vaccination appointment.
Meanwhile, one of the volunteers, Abdul Ghafar Musa said the team started off their task of conveying facts on the COVID-19 vaccine about five months ago but the registration work and taking the elderly to the PPV began a week ago.
“We set up a kiosk along the main roads of the villages here as this method is safer than going from house to house during the pandemic. At these kiosks, we help them register for vaccination, get their appointment date for those who have registered via the MySejahtera app, as well as those who have missed their appointment date.
“We will then directly communicate with the PPV at the Balik Pulau Sports Complex which would give the appointment date soonest possible,” said.
According to him, the team would start off as early as 8.30 am until 4 pm when on their mission, and besides transportation and health problems, the elderly not going to the PPV for vaccination was also due to their believing in the fake news on the vaccine that went viral on social media. – Bernama