THE opening of a new mega Covid-19 vaccination centre (PPV) at Setia SPICE Convention Centre is set to accelerate the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) in the state and pave the way to achieving herd immunity the soonest, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
During his visit there today, Chow also said the PPV, which will start its operations on Aug 3, would also make it the largest PPV in Penang so far with a capacity of administering 5,000 doses daily.
Initially, Setia SPICE Arena was the largest with the capability of administering some 3,000 doses daily.
“Today and tomorrow (Aug 2) will be used to prepare and enhance the facilities in the venue.
“This PPV will be open to those who have registered via MySejahtera and enable ‘walk-in’ for senior citizens living in the northeast and southwest district from Tuesday (Aug 3).
“I would like to thank SP Setia for taking the initiative to offer an additional venue, that too at a very reasonable rate for the next three months,” Chow told reporters during a press conference at the new mega PPV at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today.
It was learnt that the PPV will operate until Oct 31 this year.
From Aug 3 to 8, 3,000 doses are expected to be rolled out while from Aug 9 to Oct 31, 5,000 doses will be administered.
Separately, Chow highlighted that SPICE Arena will continue administering the Astrazeneca vaccine while waiting to resume the opt-in programme for the same vaccine for dose two recipients on Aug 9.
“We do not want people to be confused. Health Centre Organisations (HCO) A and B are placed at SPICE Arena, while from Aug 3 onwards, HCO C and D will be at SPICE Convention Centre.
“I was told that two private clinics, namely Medi-Genesis and Kempas Indah, would be running the operations at the new PPV.
“Apart from the healthcare personnel, I would like to extend my appreciation to 181 staff from various state and Federal agencies who will be stationed here to ensure the operations run smoothly.
“Behind each and every dose, there is a group of people making sure the process moves at a rather smooth pace,” Chow added.
With the new PPV, Chow is confident that the state’s efforts to have 40% of its adult population receive two doses of Covid-19 vaccine by early September this year is within sight now.
Meanwhile, he also said the state would work even harder now to ensure 100% of its adult population receive their first dose in the next four to five weeks.
“As of yesterday (July 31), it was reported that 55.3% of our adult population have received their first dose. In the next few weeks, we hope to hit 100%.
“As we look to increase the PPVs in the state in near future, we hope the Federal Government will also ramp the vaccine supply to all the states and PPVs,” Chow added.
Also present during the visit were State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and southwest district officer Mohd Hafiz Aswad Nadzri.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis