THIS week, the second phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme has started to roll off with focus on inoculating the elderly, and those with comorbidities and disabilities.
Only 1.4 million senior citizens aged 60 and above, out of the targeted 3.8 million, had registered for the vaccine while about 140,000 people with disabilities and 2 million people with comorbidities had signed up.
It was reported that the risk of infection after jabs is a mere 0.003 per cent based on the 227,019 recipients who had received two doses as nine subsequently tested positive for the virus.
Efforts are being ramped up by the state and Federal governments to get more people to register for the vaccination programme.
In Penang, more and more people are coming forward to register themselves and are looking eagerly to be vaccinated, but there are some who want to ‘wait-and-see’ how the programme goes.
Buletin Mutiara spoke to several people and below are their views.
Tan Hooi Wah, 73, a retired schoolteacher, and his wife, Yen Sooi Fong, 72.
Tan: “I’m going for my vaccination this Friday (April 23) at the former nurses’ hostels at Jalan Residensi.
“When the news first came out calling for registration, both my wife and I at once did it. As my wife has not received any appointment date yet, she can drive me there. So, there are pros and cons even if we do not get the same appointment date.
“You see, in case I don’t feel so well, she can drive me back. But since we don’t get the same appointment date, we have to go two times.
“I am already 73 and although there are still a lot of things unclear (about the vaccines), I think it is proper that I should get it.
“I have also talked to many doctor friends. They said go ahead and don’t worry. I got a lot of existing conditions but still I go ahead with it.”
Yen: “I hope that after taking the jab, I can travel and visit my children. Our son is in Hong Kong and Hong Kong is very strict. Our daughter-in-law was working in Ho Chin Minh City. She was separated from my son for too long because of the Covid-19 pandemic and she decided to throw away her job and go back to Hong Kong.
“From Ho Chi Minh to Hong Kong, the plane will normally take about two-and-a-half hours but this time, she had to fly from Ho Chi Minh to Singapore and then to Hong Kong. It took her 36 hours including transit.
“At first, she booked Singapore Airlines ticket. Then, when SIA had some cases, Hong Kong suspended SIA planes. So, she changed to Scoot budget airline. Luckily, she got to fly off or she would still be stranded there.
“We don’t mind telling you. In Hong Kong, you got to quarantine for 21 days and pay RM7,000 in all. That is the cheapest stay in the hotel there.”
N. Ravi, 60, apom seller
“I want to take more time to think over whether to register for the programme or not. I am now 60 and is worried about the vaccine’s side-effects. I’ll take about three or four months to decide.
“Sooner or later, I think I have no choice but to register. If you don’t get the jab, you may not be allowed to enter the bank and other premises, or travel.
“My wife (K. Kalamagai) herself had already got two shots. She is working as a nurse at Island Hospital and our daughter (Mekhana) who is working at Adventist Hospital pharmacy has already got her first dose.”
Zakaria Darus, 60, fishmonger at Pulau Tikus Market
“I was among the early birds who had registered for the vaccination. Selling fish in the market exposes me to a lot of customers and people. So, I consider myself a frontliner too.
“Business is pretty bad this month because of rumours of traders here getting Covid-19 or being quarantined. Fortunately, it has slowly picked up from now.
“I hope with vaccination, the cases will be brought down.
“So far, my wife (Rosnida Othman) and the eldest of our four children (Amirah) had been vaccinated. My wife works as a medical lab assistant at the Klinik Kesihatan Kulim while our daughter is trainee doctor.”
Allen Tan Teow Leng, 67, a retired businessman.
“Currently, I am not 100 per cent confident of the vaccines. I am taking Chinese herbs and I trust the herbs more than the vaccines.
“While there are talks of making the vaccination mandatory, I feel the authorities cannot force people to take the jabs. Even in Europe, they do not force their citizens to be vaccinated.
“To me, it is also not fair to prevent people from travelling if they are not vaccinated or push for vaccine passport.”
Richie Tan Keng Joon, 58, Teng Yuan Global Trading operations manager (dealing in used cars, old wood furniture and housing property).
“I have registered for the vaccination since Feb 23 and it is still under process. I just have to wait because the government has not allowed private hospitals to vaccinate the public.
“It’s up to the Government. If the Government wants to cut down its budget, it can allow the private hospitals to collaborate with them. For those who cannot wait for their turn, the Government can consider allowing them to get the jabs in private hospitals provided they control the price.
“At this rate, I don’t know whether Malaysia can complete its programme even until next year. If we are slow to get people vaccinated, our economy will be worsened.
“Without tourists, businesses like places of interests, hotels, transportation, restaurants, outlets selling local products and even the shopping malls are all affected.
“However, we can’t blame those who have not registered. They fear side-effects and they have their rights.”
Rogayah Ibrahim, 63, housewife.
“I know that quite a number of senior citizens are afraid of taking the vaccines after listening to negative news.
“Those of us who understand better should be aware that the vaccines are to ensure that we stay healthy in the future.
“We must emphasise this fact to them. I am just looking forward to be vaccinated.”
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting