MANY parents in Penang are not taking Covid-19 lightly and have decided to vaccinate their children.
New Covid-19 cases in the country continue to show an upward trend.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) centre at Sunshine Square Hall in Bayan Baru found that many parents took time off from work to bring their children to be inoculated.
Buletin Mutiara has managed to seek their views with regard to the vaccination involving children aged five to 11.
Mother Koay Han Wei, 32, said she cares for her son’s health and safety.
“The number of new cases is increasing daily, and I am worried for my son. The Covid-19 vaccine can provide some form of protection against Covid-19.
“After receiving the appointment via MySejahtera, I hurriedly brought my seven-year-old son here.
“We should play our part and keep our guard up against Covid-19,” Koay, from Gelugor, said.
Another mother, Norazlinda Yahya, 36, also took her son and daughter to be vaccinated at the centre.
“I have registered my children after being informed that the authorities had allowed the children to be vaccinated.
“We cannot be complacent as the coronavirus is constantly mutating. I feel that it is best for the people to be vaccinated,” she said.
She was with her children – Syarifah Qalesya, 12, and Syed Dinierifqi, nine.
Another concerned parent, S. Maheswaran, was also seen taking his nine-year-old son to the vaccination centre.
“Jaidev is in his usual self despite being told that he will be vaccinated.
“He is an outgoing boy, and I am happy that he has been inoculated.
“I have another younger son, who will be turning five soon. I need to get him vaccinated soon,” he added.
Meanwhile on the mainland, three PICKids centres – Sunshine Bertam (north Seberang Perai), Seberang Jaya Expo Site (central Seberang Perai), and Dewan MPKK Bandar Cassia (south Seberang Perai) – have officially started their operations today.
Parents were seen bringing their children to be inoculated at these three centres, with strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Among them was Tang See Ping, 43.
“I hope that more parents will bring their children to be vaccinated as the Covid-19 cases are on the rise.
“It will help to protect the children and keep the schools open. We cannot afford to have the schools close regularly as this will disrupt the students’ education.
“I feel that face-to-face education is still more effective than online learning,” Tang said at Dewan MPKK Bandar Cassia today.
Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, who was also present, said the PICKids centre at Dewan MPKK Bandar Cassia is the only PICKids centre in south Seberang Perai at the moment.
“The centre is capable of administering 750 doses daily, and the operation hours are from 9am to 5pm daily.
“Only children aged five to 11 can get their jabs here.
“For those who have yet to receive their appointments through the MySejahtera, they can choose to walk into any PICKids centres. However, it is only applicable on weekdays,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal and Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis and Darwina Mohd Daud