Bukit Gasing rep: Complete blunder to allow teens walk-in vaccinations

Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Rajiv Rishyakaran has blasted overcrowding in vaccination centres, saying that the decision to allow teens to have walk-in vaccinations was a complete blunder that should be reversed immediately.

In a statement today, Rajiv cited the situation at the Dewan Sivik MBPJ, which is one of the halls open for teenage vaccination and is located in his constituency.

"It has come to our attention that the overcrowding in the hall and areas surrounding it has caused major inconvenience not only to the surroundings but also to the people who have been lining up for hours in order to receive their vaccinations.

"It was completely foolish to announce the walk-in at concentrated halls where people have to come from far away and line up for hours in order to receive their vaccination shots.

"Many will now have to return without getting their shot after wasting a few hours as there are only limited vaccine supplies available every day," Rajiv said.

He questioned if the current move was being done with a legitimate purpose and asked if there really were enough vaccines to cover all those in the 12-17 year age categories.

"Only 20 percent of each day’s capacity is allocated for teens. If we are on a vaccine shortage then the government should be obligated to say so without putting on a show like this and burdening the people," he said.

Teenaged schoolgirls receiving their Covid-19 vaccine at SMK Presint 8 (1), Putrajaya, on Sept 20

Rajiv said that going through schools for appointments, which is also being done, remained the best way to carry out such vaccinations.

"Schools should have informed all their students of their appointments and it should have been made clear to parents and students when and where they can begin to receive their vaccinations.

"All this ambiguity not only is confusing but is making the people anxious.

"For teens who don't go to school or have dropped out, they should be given an appointment either through MySejahtera or by a booking system. Allowing walk-in before putting a proper system in place was a complete blunder," he added.

Rajiv pointed out that nearly two million individuals fall into the category of 12-17 year-olds and opening this sudden floodgate will cause long queues to form daily at the vaccination centres, which also further endangers them.

"The government needs to reverse this policy of walk-in for those aged 12 to 17 years and revert to an appointment system for a more orderly dispensation of the vaccine.

"The government should also open up more vaccination centres in order to effectively vaccinate the approximately two million people in this age bracket.

"There are hundreds of clinics that are trained and experienced in vaccinations, and they should be roped in to help," he said.

Not mincing his words, Rajiv said that the government was also "really silly" to prematurely close the mega vaccination centres just a couple of weeks before embarking on a massive exercise programme of vaccinating the entire 12-17-year-old population. - Mkini