Penangites happy with private hospital’s drive-through vaccination service

GEORGE TOWN – Penangites who received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine through Pantai Hospital Penang’s (PHP) drive-through vaccination centre today are happy with the service.

Among the recipients was Ooi Geok Keow, 90, who sat in the backseat of her car, accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law.

Ooi, who resides in Sg Ara, said that she lauded the effort as she found it very convenient, especially due to her issue with mobility.

“The vaccine jab was nothing but a sting, and I didn’t even have to move from the car seat to get my second shot,” she said.

Salesman Mok Gaik Lean, 49, said she received a call from the hospital three days ago, and was given the option to either use their walk-in vaccination service or the new drive-through one.

Mok said she was glad that she opted for the drive-through service as it was fast and convenient for her to be sitting in the comfort of her own car.

A total of 23 recipients received their vaccinations via the hospital’s drive-through service on July 19, but Pantai Hospital vaccination coordinator Ganesh Rao said that they could now cater up to 50 recipients per day.

He said PHP was the first private hospital in the northern region that provided a drive-through vaccination service from July 12, with approval from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force.

“With the expansion of the drive-through vaccination service, our centre can now vaccinate up to 250 recipients per day,” he said, adding that the drive-through option was only given to those receiving their second vaccine shot.

The drive-through vaccination service operates from 9am and 1pm from Monday to Friday, while the hospital’s vaccination centre operates from 9am and 4.30pm, also on weekdays. – Bernama, July 20, 2021