KUALA LUMPUR – Several people, including senior citizens, assigned for Covid-19 vaccination at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre today were caught by surprise when they were left waiting at the entrance and told that no inoculation sessions are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
In a Twitter post, the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV) issued an apology over the incident where the people had had their appointments confirmed via the MySejahtera app.
The committee assured that the appointments are rescheduled to Monday.
On behalf of Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, we apologise for this incident. We have missed out on informing some who showed up for their appointments today.
— Vaksin COVID-19 ?? (@JKJAVMY) May 8, 2021
Please be assured we have rescheduled the appointments to Monday. We apologise again for any inconvenience caused. https://t.co/WmtYQe00Wm
Speaking briefly to The Vibes, Raja Syahrir Raja Abu Bakar, press secretary to Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin, confirmed that vaccinations would not be available for the weekend before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“After Raya, weekend vaccinations will continue,” he said.
The tweet, which was uploaded in the late afternoon, showed another post by a netizen who was informed that there are no appointments on weekends and public holidays.
“How did my mother get an appointment on a Saturday?” Jazleen Jaafar posted.
In reply, JKJAV tweeted an apology stating they had missed out on informing those who arrived for the immunisation today.
Attempts have been made to contact Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba for comment and explanation as to why vaccinations cannot be performed this weekend.
Khairy, who chairs the JKJAV, had explained in February that the registration and appointment for the vaccination exercise is to ensure good organisation and avoid potential wastage.
Without the registration requirement, he added, people may crowd vaccine distribution centres, creating long queues. – The Vibes, May 8, 2021