KUALA LUMPUR – Following complaints that Covid-19 vaccination applicants have been assigned the “wrong” states after registration, Khairy Jamaluddin said a probe has found that the issue stems from the Google Maps API.
The science, technology and innovation minister today said when applicants keyed their address into MySejahtera, the map listed all neighbourhoods with the same name.
Some users might have clicked on the first address that popped up despite it being the wrong one, he said.
“For instance, somebody lives in Taman Bahagia, Kuala Lumpur.
“They typed out ‘Taman Bahagia’, and all the ‘Taman Bahagia’ addresses dropped down in the Google Maps API.
“They clicked on the first ‘Taman Bahagia’, which is actually Taman Bahagia in Sandakan, Sabah.”
To prevent the problem from recurring, he said, MySejahtera will have an additional feature where applicants must confirm their address, including postcode and state.
“My message to MySejahtera users is, update the address field, so that such incidents can be minimised or eliminated.
“We are also coming up with an interactive help desk feature on the app soon to assist in cases where people are sent to PPVs (vaccination centres) in other states, or those far from them, because of the Google Maps API issue.
“My suggestion for everyone using MySejahtera is to update your address field and enter your state and postcode details, so these problems won’t occur again.”
Responding to former international trade minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who expressed concern that mega vaccination centres will lead to Covid-19 clusters, Khairy said strict standard operating procedures are heeded at all times.
“There have been a couple of days when mega PPVs see overcrowding, and I have instructed these PPVs to continue enhancing their SOPs and crowd-control measures to ensure there are no more incidents of overcrowding.”
He said such centres are not the only strategy employed by the government in its National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“We are also increasing the number of general practitioner clinics (involved in the inoculation drive). Our focus is not just PPVs, but also smaller clinics, which can take vaccination appointments throughout the day.
“The strategy is to use all types of PPVs – big PPVs, small PPVs, drive-through PPVs, mobile PPVs.”
Rafidah’s Facebook comments came after Khairy announced another five mega vaccination centres in the Klang Valley.
They are The Mines Convention Centre, UiTM Puncak Alam and Setia City Convention Centre in Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Bukit Jalil National Stadium compound here.
Rafidah said having more mega vaccination centres could lead to unintended Covid-19 clusters arising from uncontrolled crowds or errors in people’s appointments.
She proposed that jab sites be set up in each district, serving only its residents, to ensure efficient and effective record-keeping and traceability. – The Vibes, May 31, 2021
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