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GEORGE TOWN – After an error involving a Kedahan woman who was administered a different Covid-19 vaccine during her second dose, authorities are being asked if there is a need for observers at vaccination centres.
However, a health professional administering vaccines who requested anonymity told The Vibes that those who fear being vaccinated with the wrong vaccine or wrong dose can simply record the process on devices such as a smartphone.
“Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has already given permission to record the vaccination process. If there are more people at the location, there is a high risk of an outbreak.
“Also, the elderly and those who need special assistance are lined up in a queue that allows for a companion to enter alongside them,” the medical official said.
They said that those in their twenties or thirties should have no issue recording with their smart devices, and all those who go for their vaccinations should be of sound mind and independent enough to determine if the shots are accurately dosed.
“Plus, there is not much space in the booth,” the frontliner added.
Meanwhile, Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society president, Dr Parmjit Singh told The Vibes there is no need for additional people to be present at the booths as there are doctors and trained nurses to foresee any issues.
Last week, Kedah health director Dr Othman Warijo revealed that a 58-year-old woman, who was expecting to get her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine was administered the Sinovac vaccine instead. The mistake occurred after a nurse at the vaccination centre (PPV) failed to check the details on her vaccination card.
The nurse has since apologised to the recipient before being reprimanded, given counselling and taken off duty that day.
Dr Othman said the department was very concerned over the incident and all PPV staff are instructed to ensure all vaccination guidelines are followed and also monitored by the PPV supervisor or manager to prevent similar mistakes from happening in the future.
However, this was not an isolated case.
In May, a man in Kuala Lumpur was underdosed when he went to receive the AstraZeneca shot and was made aware of it after he posted his video of the appointment on his social media.
His friends alerted him to the possibility that the dosage appeared to be less than what is recommended.
He had to take another dose a few days after the incident, before completing his vaccination regime two weeks ago.
In July, there was another case in Bangi when a recipient was injected with an empty syringe, with the incident being put down to human error and has since been rectified.
Khairy also apologised on behalf of the nurse and promised to do better. – The Vibes, August 12, 2021
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