Malaysia

Without confirmed slots, frustrated folk in virus-ravaged Sibu brave heat, infection in search of Covid-19 jabs

Desperation grips public in central Sarawak district hoping for surplus stocks at vaccination centres

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 25 Jun 2021 2:27PM

Without confirmed slots, frustrated folk in virus-ravaged Sibu brave heat, infection in search of Covid-19 jabs
A long queue outside a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Sibu, Sarawak, as public weariness over the MySejahtera app has many hoping to secure inoculation amid the stuttering registration process. – Facebook pic, June 25, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – Panic-driven people in Sibu district in central Sarawak who had waited in vain for months to get their Covid-19 jabs are going by the hundreds to mass vaccination centres hoping to get a vacant slot.

They are desperately waiting for MySejahtera appointment dates for Covid-19 jabs, and they are willing to wait in long queues for hours hoping to be allowed into the vaccination centres despite the blazing heat and the possibility of being infected.

Sibu resident Angela Kuek told The Vibes today that the long wait for a vaccination date has become very frustrating for many.

“Hundreds of desperate residents are going to the vaccination centres daily even though they have not been allotted a slot for the vaccine injection.

“They are hoping against odds that there will be extra stocks of vaccines available in these vaccination centres and that they can be called into the centre despite not having a MySejahtera appointment date.

“Many have waited since February but they have not secured any date for vaccination even though they registered via MySejahtera four months ago,” she said.

Kuek herself only recently managed to get her first dose. However, she said many of her neighbours and church friends have not received any injection date as yet.

Meanwhile, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting said on social media today that it is futile to queue up by the hundreds outside these vaccination centres.

“There are many people waiting outside the vaccination centres, such as at the Sibujaya Community Hall vaccination centre. However, only those who have a confirmed appointments are allowed to enter the gate.

“Those who are outside the fence are those hoping to get a call to be vaccinated, but they don’t have any appointment. All must still go through MySejahtera. If you do not have an appointment, don’t go. Wait for your turn when MySejahtera notifies you,” he said.

Sibu, along with Kuching, Miri and Bintulu are the worst-hit urban districts in Sarawak in terms of daily surge in infections and deaths in this deadly pandemic. – The Vibes, June 25, 2021

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