The Malaysia Shopping Mall Association (PPK) denied its members were profiting from an on-site vaccination programme for retail tenants and staff by charging RM50 for two doses of Covid-19 vaccines.
PPK said it was distraught over negative comments in the media that the malls were allegedly profiteering by participating in the Economic Frontliners Vaccination Programme.
Some letters went viral recently which claimed that several shopping malls were charging a RM50 nominal fee for the two doses of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines.
PPK explained the estimated cost of providing the venue, logistics, manpower, and standby ambulance service for the on-site vaccination centre will amount to RM100 to RM150 per pax.
"In the interests of the national agenda, it was decided that the malls shall largely subsidise these costs and be allowed to charge merely RM50 for two doses to participants," it said in a statement today.
It stated that the fee comprised a vaccine administering cost of RM15 per dose, and RM10 to defray the logistic expenses per dose, charged to cover related costs as well as to secure a commitment from the participant.
The vaccination programme will be administered by ProtectHealth Corporation which will provide doctors and nurses. The vaccines will be provided by the government for free to the workers.
PPK said it mooted the idea of on-site vaccination centres at shopping malls as it is more efficient and logical to bring medical personnel there to administer the vaccinations.
Over 50 malls are interested to host the vaccination programme at their premises, it added.
"The details of this programme and the confirmed locations are being finalised and will be announced. We do look forward to the rollout by the end of June onwards as scheduled."
Operations of shopping malls under the “total lockdown” have been restricted to only individual tenants listed as essential services, including food and beverages, supermarkets, pharmacies, and pet care outlets.
Last Friday, New Straits Times quoted Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi as saying that more than 500,000 retail workers would benefit from the economic frontliners vaccination programme.
Aside from the mall association, Alexander cited an ongoing collaboration with the Malaysia Retailers’ Association and Malaysia Retail Chain Association to set up vaccination centres at strategic locations nationwide. - Mkini
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