Old folk upset over long wait by roadside for booster shot

 

The booster recipients were forced to queue along Pinhorn Road, as traffic moves in both directions.

GEORGE TOWN: The rush for the Covid-19 booster dose has caused a long queue outside a vaccination centre on Pinhorn Road here today.

Nearly all in the queue were senior citizens who had to wait for at least an hour by the roadside. The line stretched for 50m.

Physical distancing was not observed. Those queuing also had to avoid traffic.

A worker at the centre was heard telling those in the queue that the delay was due to them arriving there without appointments.

An argument ensued as those who had walked in for their dose were told to turn around. A man who came without an appointment said he thought all were free to walk into any vaccination centre.

Another person, a retiree who wanted to be known as Cheng, 65, said he had to park a distance away and then was asked to queue by the roadside.

He said there were moments when cars came dangerously close to them.

Some of the recipients were in wheelchairs. On the right (in long-sleeved white shirt) is RSN Rayer, who was with his mother.

Cheng said the vaccination centre – at a bungalow with a large compound – should have allowed people to wait inside instead of by the roadside.

K Malarvathy, 58, said no one observed physical distancing but, fortunately, the weather was not too hot.

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer was also in the line with his 78-year-old mother, R Krishnaveni, in a wheelchair.

He said he had waited some 45 minutes like the rest before his mother received her booster, and that it was unacceptable for seniors to have to wait so long.

Rayer said it was also upsetting that Penang health committee chairman Norlela Ariffin was not around to ensure such a situation did not arise.

In an immediate reply, Norlela said she was aware of the situation and had alerted the health ministry to take action.

An official at the vaccination centre has yet to respond to FMT’s request for comments. - FMT