KOTA KINABALU – Those who walk in for Covid-19 vaccination should be categorised according to age to avoid congestion at jab sites, said Datuk Frankie Poon.
The Sabah DAP acting chairman in a statement said the state government’s decision to allow walk-ins at several vaccination centres (PPVs) should be accompanied with a proper plan to prevent overcrowding.
This includes setting vaccination days according to birth year.
Poon hit out at the state government’s revised standard operating procedures allowing only fully vaccinated individuals – including workers – to enter supermarkets, hypermarkets and food premises from next month.
With this SOP, surely people will swarm walk-in PPVs. Are the PPVs ready for this? Does Sabah have sufficient Covid-19 vaccine supply?”
State DAP Youth chief Phoong Jin Zhe in a separate statement also pointed out the issue of congestion at several PPVs.
Besides splitting up jab recipients into groups, he said, the best method to avoid overcrowding is to increase the number of PPVs by allowing the private sector, non-governmental organisations and elected representatives to set up outreach jab sites.
“This is to have wider coverage, and by decentralising autonomy, people can have access to the vaccine faster and in a more convenient manner.”
The Sabah government should not rely on the mega PPVs in the state, and instead, look at what is done in other countries such as China, where the public can get inoculated at shops and bus stops.
Since the government is confident about our vaccine supply, they should set up more places for the vaccination drive to prevent crowds from forming.”
Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration has not listened to suggestions relating to the immunisation programme.
In a statement, he said the proposals include introducing “prioritised appointments”, where representatives notify PPV officers of individuals who have been waiting months for vaccination.
This will enhance walk-in vaccinations as the Health Ministry can mobilise teams to villages to administer jabs, he said.
There was also a suggestion for the state government to introduce community monitoring and enforcement, where state representatives go on rounds in their respective villages to ensure residents do not flout the SOPs.
“But has the GRS-led government listened to these ideas that can help curb the pandemic? No!”
The Penampang MP said the decision to allow only fully vaccinated individuals to enter certain premises is unfair as many Sabahans yet to get their second dose will be unable to buy essential items.
He questioned the vaccine supply in Sabah, and urged the state administration to invoke its inherent “right to demand” so that Putrajaya immediately sends doses.
“It must be done without a single day’s delay as the war against the pandemic is failing by the day in Sabah.” –The Vibes, August 15, 2021
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