CITF: Klang Valley PPV closures based on data, list not finalised yet

 

The Covid-19 Immunisation Taskforce (CITF) has cautioned the public against referring to a widely-shared list that shows a majority of Selangor vaccine administration centres (PPVs) may be shut down soon.

“We request that you do not refer to the list shared because final decisions have not been made and (these decisions) may change from time to time,” it said in a statement to Malaysiakini.

Asked if it was closing PPVs in the state and why, the CITF declined to confirm the matter outright.

It answered by saying that a majority of adults in the Klang Valley were already fully vaccinated.

The government task force also underscored its need to optimise resources, reduce costs and to ensure everyone across the country had access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

“CITF would like to inform that any closures will be done based on data that looks at the need for PPVs in the Klang Valley. This is in line with how vaccination rates in the Klang Valley have achieved in giving more than 70 percent of the adult population a second dose.

“CITF is also in the process of ensuring that no one living in Malaysia is left behind in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

“To this end, CITF is looking at the importance of optimising existing resources as well as cost reductions while balancing the need to ensure there is no difficulty for those who have yet to get vaccinated to do so,” it said.

As of Aug 17, the CITF reported that 71.2 percent of the Klang Valley adult population had been fully vaccinated.

The region ranks third-highest in terms of vaccination rates and most of the country is far behind. In comparison, only 24.7 percent of adults in Sabah have been fully vaccinated.

Pivot to using more GPs

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also declined to confirm the list.

In a comment to The Vibes, Noor Hisham said the government may “engage with more general practitioners (GPs) to assist in vaccinations”.

“Once we have achieved the required coverage, we will move on and focus on other states,” the top health officer was also quoted as saying.

Earlier yesterday, Malaysiakini sighted a document that appeared to be a proposal to close most PPVs in the Klang Valley, in stages from next week onwards.

It also proposed where recipients could be redirected to. This included GPs, other public PPVs, privately run PPVs, and Klinik Kesihatan (government-run health clinics).

The document stated that these PPVs would be closed:

• Six of eight PPVs in Klang would be closed;
• Four of five in Gombak;
• Two of three in Kuala Selangor;
• 14 of 15 in Petaling;
• Three of four in Sepang;
• Nine of 12 in Hulu Langat;
• One of two in Hulu Selangor;
• Both in Kuala Langat; and
  
• Two in Sabak Bernam would remain open

Wrong strategy, says Klang MP

Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago opined that large-scale PPV closures were the “wrong strategy”.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, he noted that not all in the Klang Valley have got their second dose yet, while some did not show up for their jabs, nor have they even registered for the vaccine.

Charles expressed concern that this may lead to crowds at remaining PPVs, which may lead to infection clusters.

Klang MP Charles Santiago

“That is a disaster in the making,” he cautioned.

Charles also disputed how the PPV closures would amount to a better allocation of resources.

“With the Klang Hokkien Association Hall, the government spent between RM3 million to RM4 million to start it up as a PPV. Not even a month has transpired and now they want to close it...

“You already have a sunk cost, you already invested the money there. So why do you want to overload the Wyndham Acmar Hotel PPV, which will now have to carry out some 20,000 jabs a day?” Charles questioned. - Mkini