Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said a single district could include several smaller PPVs to cover a wider population and reduce congestion.

“A suitable location, either a community hall or an open basketball court in each zone, can be converted into a PPV to help cater to the people in their areas,” he said in a statement today.

Yii said this was important as there was a need to speed up the vaccination rate among the public to cover especially high-risk groups as soon as possible when more vaccine supplies become available.

He said currently, it was not convenient for the government to expect elderly people, many with chronic diseases and comorbidities, to travel far to PPVs and wait two to three hours for their vaccination.

“I am concerned that such inconveniences may hinder more elderly who are of highest risk to develop severe symptoms from turning up for their vaccination appointments,” he said.

Yii said the government should also set up mobile vaccination teams to go to nursing homes and directly vaccinate bedridden elderly and the disabled.

He said the government must look into improving the official hotline for the national immunisation programme for those who intend to call up for any inquiries or make changes to their appointments.

He said it was difficult for the public to call the hotline as the connection was constantly cut off.

“Due to that, many of the elderly who are unsure do not turn up for their appointments as they are unable to obtain the required information from the hotline.

“We are made to understand that the hotline service is outsourced to a third party, but it is the government’s responsibility to monitor to make sure the quality is constantly upheld,” he said.

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