KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) mega vaccination centre, the first in the country, is set to ramp up the exercise following its success in vaccinating some 100,000 people in less than a month since its opening.
As it is, the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme has rapidly picked up pace after surpassing daily doses target ahead of schedule.
The programme’s coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin this week noted that the country had administered 215,000 shots on June 15.
On Thursday, a record of 268,604 doses was achieved nationwide.
The government had set a target of administering 200,000 vaccine shots a day by July.
Despite the volume at Mitec, many who arrived for their vaccination appointment were surprised at the ease and efficiency of the process there.
Among those was amputee Dr Paul Inderjeet, 66, from Mont Kiara here, who arrived for his second dose of vaccine accompanied by his son Amrith Sachdev, 32.
“I registered for my vaccine in March and received my first dose on June 4 soon after the second phase of the vaccination programme was opened to those aged above 60 or in the high-risk group.
“I am happy to have completed my vaccination as I now feel more secure and protected,” he said when met at Mitec yesterday.
Dr Inderjeet, who lost his left leg to diabetes 10 years ago, said the process went smoothly without any hiccups.
He advised those who have yet to register for the Covid-19 vaccination to do so and to stop listening to fear-mongers.
“Don’t listen to what some people are saying about the vaccines as they only put fear in you.
“Just get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family,” Dr Inderjeet said.
Also spotted were Hassan Dollah, 66, and his wife Norliah Md Yusuf, 56, who both received their second dose.
“We were lucky to get our appointment on the same day.
“It took us less than a month to complete our vaccination,” said Hassan, a former employee of Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Norliah said she was impressed with how smooth the vaccination process was.
“The service was good and there wasn’t any fear.
“I feel calm and healthier after getting my second dose,” said Norliah.
The couple from Bandar Baru Sentul here said they had no qualms about signing up for vaccination in March when registration opened through the MySejahtera app.
Another retiree, 65-year-old John Nehru, commended the effort to get the elderly vaccinated as soon as possible.
“It was very organised and much faster compared to June 4 when I received my first dose.
“I feel more confident after getting my second dose, now that Covid-19 has become more contagious,” he added.
Housewife Lim Yoke Peng, 65, from Kepong, said her vaccination this time was swift and without much hassle.
“I was afraid that I would end up waiting for hours as had happened on my first appointment on June 4.
“Things have improved since then as I barely had to wait this time,” she said.
Adnan Abdul Latif, 65, a former officer of the Finance Ministry, said he registered for vaccination in April and it took less than two months for him to be allocated a slot.
“The traffic was smooth and the system here was very orderly.
“Basically, it’s easy,” he said after getting his second dose.
He urged members of the public to get vaccinated so that the nation could reach herd immunity by the end of this year.
The Mitec mega vaccination centre began operations on May 31, vaccinating between 2,400 and 2,800 people a day.
At present, the centre is vaccinating up to 5,000 people a day with plans to increase the number to a maximum of 8,000.
The centre handles vaccines for those aged above 60 and in the high-risk group as well as frontliners.
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