Three-fold increase in vaccination at PPV in BCCK on fourth day

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Hwang (right) explaining how the vaccination process works at BCCK. – Penerangan Photo

KUCHING (June 11): The vaccination rate of the AstraZeneca vaccine at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) vaccination centre (PPV) tripled on the fourth day of operation yesterday.

On the first three days, only 1,000 people were vaccinated at the PPV daily.
According to BCCK vaccination centre manager Dr Cheong Yaw Liang, the 3,000 people were split evenly between two healthcare organisations (HCOs) – Public Medicare Group (PMG) at HCO A and Borneo Medical Center (BMC) at HCO B.

“The amount (vaccine doses) will be increased according to needs and situation,” said Dr Cheong.

Meanwhile, PMG Group chief executive officer, Hwang Chiong Ann, said only 500 vaccine recipients were scheduled daily for the first three days because they were still at the warming-up phase to ensure the vaccination process ran smoothly.

Hwang noted that the turnout of vaccine recipients for the first three days was very encouraging.

“The venue seemed quiet on the first three days as the vaccination management system arranged the appointment that way, so that there won’t be a big crowd at any one time and to provide comfortable environment to recipients as well as speed up the vaccination process.”

Furthermore, some of the recipients could not come on the set date due to health problems and unavoidable factors; and they were be given a new appointment, he added.

This refutes claims which went viral in the media that the quietness on the first few days at BCCK was due to registered vaccine recipients refusing the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Sharing her experience, Mazenah Bujang, 71, from Kampung Gersik said she signed up to get the vaccine voluntarily as a way to protect her personal health, not because of coercion from any party.

Poji Bujang, 77, got help from his granddaughter to register for the vaccine as he wanted to protect himself and other family members from Covid-19.

Dorris Leong, 68, who came for the vaccination with her husband, said the vaccination process was very smooth and the whole process took less than an hour.

She added that she and her husband did not experience any side effects after the jab.

“I feel safer after getting the vaccination and hope that those who have not registered to immediately register without being so picky about which vaccine they are getting. All vaccines provided by the government have been approved by World Health Organization (WHO).”

The AstraZeneca vaccine recipients will get their second dose after 12 weeks upon receiving the first injection.

There are two PPVs providing AstraZeneca vaccine in the state. The other one is at the National Youth Skills Centre in Miri.

Operating hours are from 8am to 9pm daily on weekdays, and from 8am to 5pm on weekends.