THE drop in demand at certain vaccination centres (PPV) in the Klang Valley does not justify the discontinuation of the public Covid-19 vaccination programme through general practitioner (GP) clinics, said Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran.

Calling the federal government’s move “foolish”, Rajiv said it has caused crowding at the MBPJ Civic Hall PPV in his constituency which is taking in walk-ins for vaccination.

“Bukit Gasing residents have raised their concerns over the issue and are afraid that this might cause an outbreak. This concern is very real especially when people are lining up to get in the first-come, first-served list from all over the Klang Valley,” he said in a statement today.

By allowing 300 GPs to continue providing Covid-19 vaccines under the national programme, people will not have to queue for hours for their shot. 

“300 clinics versus 13 mega PPV? The former will certainly make vaccination more accessible,” he said. 

“Let’s make getting the jab easy and near. Let us not further spread this deadly virus by forcing them to congregate.

“The government’s decision to centralise operations to a few PPVs (for walk-ins) was based on inaccurate data and is foolish,” he added.

Malaysiakini recently reported that 29 PPV’s across Selangor will be shut down as a significant proportion of the population has been fully vaccinated and vaccine demand is expected to slow down. Existing appointments will be transferred to centres that will remain open. 

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also said that PPV’s will be closed in stages in the Klang Valley as the area is almost hitting its vaccination target.

As part of the streamlining, the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force said that from August 23, walk-in vaccinations for Malaysians residing in the Klang Valley will be limited to only 13 PPVs.

“For the longest time, I have been calling to allow all GPs to administer vaccines, especially because they are closer to the people and they do not have to travel far to receive their shots,” Rajiv added.

“The sense of urgency and rush are created with the shutdown of multiple PPVs in the Klang Valley. 

“Allowing these GPs to operate reassures the residents that vaccines are available. This will not put them in risky situations, for instance, overcrowding at PPVs.”

Rajiv urged the special committee for ensuring access to Covid-19 vaccine Supply (JKJAV) to immediately decentralise the vaccination process and allow GPs who want to administer the vaccine to partake in the programme. 

“Decentralising the vaccination process also means that undocumented migrant workers will feel safer walking into a clinic they already go to for their medical needs,” he said.

CITF has acknowledged that vaccinating migrant workers poses a challenge, he added.

Mobilising these private clinics will instil a sense of confidence in them and encourage them to get vaccinated, he said.

CITF had earlier given 48 hours’ notice to stop vaccination appointments at 741 private clinics, several private hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Selangor.

Yesterday, the task force said private doctors may still have a role in providing Covid-19 vaccinations in the future, although private vaccination centres in the Klang Valley are being closed.

CITF also denied that the involvement of general practitioners in the national immunisation programme had been discontinued. – August 24, 2021.