I READ with dismay a foreign report which stated that Covid-19 is very likely to stay as our permanent enemy, just like flu but much worse. Scientists from the University of Minnesota’s Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy predicted that Covid-19 was more contagious and has a longer incubation period than the flu, meaning it takes longer for symptoms to appear after a person has been infected.

The researchers also found that it might be at its most contagious before symptoms appear. They said even if the pandemic wanes, the virus would continue to circulate with seasonal patterns, with less severity over time.

Aptly, this left me wondering. We are still battling the pandemic and now, we are faced with this likelihood which is almost set to become a reality. How on earth are we going to win against the virus, which has evolved into variants in this country? 

Maybe it is hard for us to accept this reality but, in essence, the government has already put in place plans and measures to allow us to resume our lives and routines.

The scientists’ predictions seem bleak but the national vaccination programme serves the interest of the people and the country.

What I don’t get is why is there such a low vaccine registration rate nationwide. Why don’t eligible Malaysians register without delay? I signed up on the day registration opened. From reports, the Health Ministry is targeting 70% to 80% Malaysians to register but so far, statistics show only 7.6 million out of 26.7 million of the eligible have registered through the MySejahtera app.

Worse, 1.4 million individuals have not completed their details in the MySejahtera app. They have only filled in their names and identity card numbers for vaccine shots.

They did not reply to health evaluation questions nor fill their latest addresses. This may sound petty but such an act could slowing down the inoculation exercise. 

The latest address is important as the appointment for vaccine injection will only be assigned to the nearest vaccine centre.

Manual registration is available at health offices, clinics, government and private hospitals for those who do not have the technology or internet access to register for the vaccine.  

Some Malaysians may hesitate to sign up for fear of the side effects or any other fear-mongering reasons.

This should not be the case because as responsible citizens, we must not adopt a wait-and-see attitude or pretend being ignorant. Otherwise, this will only hold back and derail all other government’s plans and efforts to win the battle against Covid-19 and to allow us to return to “normality”.

While the government has taken and is doing everything possible to ensure the success of the national vaccination programme, as rakyat, we must become more accepting of the vaccines. Don’t blame the government if it decides to reconsider the registration policy if the sign-up rate is low. Blame yourself because your selfishness is the one that will hurt others and the country. – April 22, 2021.

* Hamidah Sharif reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.