Health Dept looking into 'queue jumping' claim at Teluk Intan vax centre

 

The Perak Health Department is investigating an allegation about “queue jumping” at the Teluk Intan vaccine administration centre (PPV).

When contacted, department director Dr Ding Lay Ming said she was aware of the claim.

“We will look at it and see what exactly is the issue behind it,” she told Malaysiakini.

Earlier today, Twitter user @JetsamCadillac questioned why youths appeared on a list at the Dewan Bandaran PPV in Teluk Intan to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

He tweeted several images that depicted youths waiting alongside senior citizens at the centre.

The National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) is presently in its second phase, targetting high-risk groups like the elderly, persons with disabilities and those with comorbidities.

@JetsamCadillac alleged that a doctor had “slipped in” the names of people who were not meant to be vaccinated yet into today’s list, adding that this was allegedly not the first time this had been done.

The Twitter user later tweeted that someone from the Health Ministry had contacted him about the matter.

Ministry officials had also visited the PPV in question.

Since the NIP began in March, some PPVs have begun an informal practice of collecting names into a “waiting list” in the event scheduled vaccine recipients do not show up.

This was to ensure vaccine vials did not go to waste.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin previously denounced such lists and said “walk-in” vaccinations were not allowed, but PPVs will contact people on their "reserve list" in the event of no-shows.

Khairy also warned about the infection risks posed by having crowds at PPVs.  - Mkini