AFTER completing a year or so with the Covid-19 pandemic, it was almost inevitable that our morale would gradually collapse and a kind of depression would kick in among the population. But the arrival of the vaccine has revived much hope among many, especially senior citizens who have started receiving their jab (phase two) nationwide from April 19 onwards.
The Buletin Mutiara team today visited the Seberang Perai Arena Convention Centre in central Seberang Perai and Millenium Hall in Kepala Batas in north Seberang Perai (two of the five venues in Penang that had been turned into Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPV) across all five districts) to interview several senior citizens who had been inoculated.
Shellie, 74, who is an active volunteer at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital on the mainland, said she feels good and did not experience any immediate side effects upon being inoculated this morning.
“Everything in our lives happens for a reason, including this National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme implemented by the authorities.
“As for me, I am feeling extremely okay after receiving the jab. To be honest, it’s like an ant bite.
“I leave it all to God; if this vaccine is meant to prevent and protect us from further unprecedented health conditions, then I believe there shouldn’t be any hesitation to do it,” Shellie told Buletin Mutiara.
Another elderly person, Khoo Ying Moy, 82, said although she has been hearing mixed views on the vaccine, she decided to stay positive and agreed to be inoculated.
“I love travelling, and I hope after receiving this vaccine, I will be able to travel again. And of course, I would continue to abide by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the authorities.
“As for how I felt after receiving the jab, I have to say I feel the same without any weird or unusual reactions to my body,” she said.
While many started to hit the ground to head to the vaccination centre, a couple of medical officers at the premises were approached by some to gain better insights on the vaccination process there.
One of the officers, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the turnout has been very encouraging since day one of phase two with some 90 percent of people keeping up their appointments as fixed through the MySejahtera application.
The remaining 10 percent were groups of people who were called up to be inoculated in hospitals instead.
According to the officer, a total of 44 medical staff, 15 volunteers and rela members were stationed there.
Over at the Millenium Hall in Kepala Batas in north Seberang Perai, elderly folk could be seen coming in droves, but still adhering to the SOPs at the vaccination centre to get their first Covid-19 vaccine dose today.
Most of the elderly were also accompanied by their children, while some came with walking sticks and others in wheelchairs.
Among them was retired teacher Siti Hawa Ibrahim, 69.
“I woke up very early today to ensure that I won’t be late for my appointment to get the vaccine at 8.30am.
“So, after having my breakfast, my son drove me here.
“And I am the first in my family to get the jab. My son signed me up for the vaccination through MySejahtera app.
“I am not worried as I am healthy and so far, I did not experience any side effects,” she said when met at the vaccination centre today.
As for Hor Pun Fong, 70, she was very excited to get the jab today.
“I am optimistic to get the vaccine and I wanted to be vaccinated as early as possible as I fall under the high-risk group.
“I was a little bit scared at first but thanks to my son who had explained to me the benefits of taking the vaccine, now I am not worried anymore. Hopefully, everything will go on smoothly for the rest today,” said Hor, who lives in Butterworth.
The other three PPV’s are in Caring Society Complex in the northeast district, Balik Pulau Sports Complex in the southwest district and Jawi multipurpose hall in south Seberang Perai.
Story by Kevin Vimal and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar and Kevin Vimal