THE public should do their best to ensure they do not miss their vaccination appointment.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state is achieving an average of 85% of the daily maximum capacity at Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs).
As of June 22, the active and operating PPVs in Penang could inoculate up to 16,404 people daily at 100% capacity.
On average, Chow said Penang lost about 15% of the daily capacity.
“They were due to various reasons which include vaccine supplies and people missing their vaccination appointment.
“It is unfortunate to lose some 15% of our capacity, which is equivalent to about 2,000 people per day.
“Just imagine that the figure is almost similar to the capacity of our mega PPV in Setia SPICE Arena,” he said after visiting the PPV at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Gelugor, today.
He said there were other inactive PPVs in Penang which were still awaiting approvals from the authorities.
“Including those that are active and in operation, we can inoculate up to 25,554 people daily (at maximum capacity as of June 22) if those inactive PPVs are given the approvals to operate.
“I hope that the authorities can approve the applications of the inactive PPVs and allow them to operate as soon as possible.
“Some PPVs are still waiting to be given a date to operate,” he said.
Chow said four multinational corporations in Penang had prepared the PPVs at their sites, and they had been given the approval in principle.
However, they are still waiting to be given a date to operate.
Over at USM in Gelugor, Chow thanked USM for stepping forward to assist the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) in Penang.
“I am very happy with the facilities and preparation by the university.
“It is spacious and it also has parking lots for vaccine recipients to park their vehicles.
“The PPV at USM in Gelugor can accommodate a capacity of 1,000 people per day. But it is starting at 400 people daily for now,” Chow said.
USM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan said another PPV at the USM Bertam campus could accommodate up to 200 people per day.
Also present was the university’s deputy vice-chancellor (sustainability and institutional development) Prof Dr Md Roslan Hashim.
Chow also visited another PPV at Dewan Balai Rakyat Bayan Baru.
There, he urged Penangites not to be complacent and ignorant over their Covid-19 vaccination appointment.
“As you may know, it is not an easy task to set up a PPV in a particular chosen site.
“It comes with a lot of efforts by various parties, such as preparing adequate manpower, important equipment for the vaccination process, ensuring sufficient vaccine supplies and so on.”
He urged the public to turn up for their vaccination appointment.
“We can do better to improve our daily capacity rate at the PPVs.
“This is important for us to have 80% of the population inoculated in Penang,” he said.
Looking at the importance of vaccine and the mass rollout across the globe, Chow said that vaccination is very likely the only way out of this deadly health crisis.
“Our economy has gone through major hiccups since last year, and the signs of recovery are still pretty much uncertain.
“So, as responsible citizens, the least we can all do is get ourselves vaccinated and show support towards the NIP,” Chow added.
Southwest district health officer Dr Fazilah Mydin, who accompanied Chow during his visit to the PPV, said that 348 individuals had been inoculated on the first day (June 22).
The capacity of the PPV at Dewan Balai Rakyat Bayan Baru is 400 individuals daily.
“This PPV is mainly to cater to those living in the southwest district on the island, specifically in Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas,” said Dr Fazilah.
It is learnt that the PPV is only open from Monday to Friday (8am to 6pm) for now, and will soon be operating on weekends too.
Story by Christopher Tan and Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar and Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi and Law Suun Ting