Kedah health director Dr Mohd Fikri Ujang said the number involved 35% of the 30,100 individuals who had registered and were given appointments through the MySejahtera application under Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

He said that among the reasons given (for the no-shows) included worry and not being prepared to receive the vaccine jab. There were others who cited being unwell, undergoing quarantine, being out of the area, not having transport to go to the vaccination centres, and also those who wanted to make a last-minute change of the appointment date.

“The number involves individuals who were supposed to come and receive the injections at public vaccination centres, health ministry’s health clinics, private clinics and private hospitals.

“However, the vaccines were then administered to a waiting list that met the criteria of Phase 2, namely the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart problems and so on,” he said when contacted, here, today.

Meanwhile, Fikri said until May 24, a total of 579,526 or 37.6% of the 1,541,160 who were eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine shots, had registered in the state.

Kelantan, too, had reported a similar problem, with almost 10,000 individuals not turning up on their vaccination appointment dates.

However, Kelantan state health director Dr Zaini Hussin said there was no wastage of vaccine as those who had registered would be replaced with others under the same criteria.

“In fact, many Kelantanese hope that they will get vaccinated without having to wait for the given date through the MySejahtera app,” he said in a statement today.

However, Zaini advised the public to constantly check the MySejahtera app to find out the invitation status for vaccination.

Zaini said as of yesterday, 35,905 individuals had received their first dose of vaccine under Phase 2 of the programme in the state.

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