CITF apologises for website problems, vows action

 

The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force has apologised for technical difficulties faced by people seeking to book an appointment to receive AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine earlier today.

“The CITF views the technical problems seriously and action will be taken against relevant parties for public interest and the country,” it said in a statement tonight.

The CITF also reassured that those who have already registered for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) but did not manage to book an appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine will still be vaccinated under the programme, especially once vaccination rates improve in the coming months.

“Once again, we apologise for any problems faced and are always open for any feedback and criticism from all parties.

“The CITF also wishes to thank the public for the good response in performing their responsibility to ensure the country achieves herd immunity as planned,” it said.

Previously, the government has set up has set-up a parallel vaccination programme under NIP where people can opt-in to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The move was made due to public concerns over rare but potentially serious blood clots associated with the vaccine, which threatened to undermine the rest of the immunisation programme that currently uses vaccines from Pfizer and Sinovac.

However, people trying to book appointments for the AstraZeneca vaccine have encountered technical difficulties each time the bookings are opened.

This occurred on May 3 when bookings were opened to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor residents above 18, on May 23 to a lesser extent when it was opened to senior citizens in the Klang Valley, Penang, Johor, and Sarawak.

At noon today, technical problems again reappeared when the vaccine booking website apparently became swamped by the number of people seeking appointments.

This came as appointment slots available since May 23 but were not taken up by senior citizens were opened to adults in those states who are below 60 years old.

The glitches drew widespread criticism as many failed to secure an appointment while struggling with the website’s technical problems.

Meanwhile, the CITF said 956,609 appointments have been taken up today in about an hour after bookings opened, not 300,000 announced earlier today.

It said out of the 1,261,000 doses offered in the second round of AstraZeneca vaccine bookings, appointments 275,208 doses have been taken up by senior citizens since May 23 during which they have priority on the appointments.

Another 29,183 appointments have been taken up by people who are on a waiting list since the first round of AstraZeneca opt-in registrations on May 3.- Mkini