GEORGE TOWN – Although the government has ended its Vaccine Mobilisation (Movak) programme to inoculate people in remote and rural areas against Covid-19, it is now looking into relaunching it with a new focus.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib today said it would be relaunched to target residents of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) homes and those in the outskirts, along with teenagers aged 12 to 17 living in such areas.
Speaking at an official ceremony to mark the closing of the programme at Dewan Sri Pinang here, Ismail said RM3.4 million has so far been spent on the programme.
“The ministry plans to implement Movak Outreach 2.0 nationwide, with the launch expected soon.
“We will look at the pros and cons; the effectiveness and problems faced in this programme before we move onto the second phase.
“I can assure you that this programme has not ended; we will continue with the mobile vaccination until we are free from Covid-19,” he said.
Under the programme, 75,800 vaccines doses, including both first and second shots, were given to 37,900 individuals in seven states, namely Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor, with the assistance of 60 health staff and volunteers.
Of the total, 15,267 people or 40% were administered to Penang folk.
The distribution of 5,200 second doses at two Penang locations – here and northern Seberang Prai – will wrap up today.
“The ministry’s officers involved in this programme are not paid any special allowances and have to sacrifice to leave their essential duties in the office for a while,” Ismail said.
“Nevertheless, they remain committed to carrying out the tasks and instructions given because they also want to ensure that this programme can be implemented effectively. These efforts have indirectly helped the country in providing vaccines to as many people as possible.”
He said the programme has also helped some bus companies earn an income as 12 passenger bus units were modified based on specifications agreed to by the Covid-19 Immunisation Special Task Force (CITF) and Health Ministry (MoH) for use as mobile vaccination units (MVUs).
Present was Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo, who requested that the Movac initiative be repurposed to vaccinate students heading back to school tomorrow.
He said the programme has been a success for licenced traders in Penang as many of these frontliners who interact with the public every day are now fully vaccinated.
A total of 84,868 doses were allocated for the Movac programme, which began on August 23. – The Vibes, October 3, 2021
