MIRI – In a bid to drive the vaccination roll-out in Sarawak forward, University College of Technology (UCT) Sarawak has converted its campus buses in Sibu into mobile vaccination centres (PPVs).
State Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said UCT has allocated two buses to transport mobile health teams to surrounding villages and longhouses to dispense the vaccine via walk-ins and registration.
“The vaccination process is being enhanced in Sibu town and its outskirts via such outreach initiatives.
“This will help accelerate the vaccination process as the initiative will avoid huge queues from building up at present vaccination centres in town,” the Nangka assemblyman said today.
Sibu residents began receiving their Covid-19 jabs last week, with hundreds thronging mass PPVs hoping to get a vacant slot for a dose.
In addition to waiting for their appointment date via MySejahtera, many were willing to stand in long queues for hours in the hopes of being admitted into a PPV.
Sibu resident Angela Kuek told The Vibes the long wait for a vaccination date has become a frustrating affair.
“Hundreds of desperate residents are heading to the PPVs daily even though they have not been alloted a slot for the vaccine injection.
“They are hoping against odds that there will be extra stock of vaccines in these vaccination centres and that they can be called into the centre despite not having a MySejahtera appointment date,” she said.
Kuek, who recently got her first dose of the vaccine, said many of her neighbours and friends have yet to receive their appointment dates.
However, Sibu municipal council chairman Clarence Ting is calling for only those with MySejahtera appointments to head to PPVs, describing the people’s efforts to queue up by the hundreds without an appointment as futile.
“There are reports that many people were waiting outside vaccination centres, such as at the Sibujaya community hall.
“However, only those who have a confirmed appointment are allowed to enter the gates.
“If you do not have a MySejahtera 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 the state in terms of daily infections and deaths. – The Vibes, June 30, 2021
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