LETTER | KJ, please do the basics first

LETTER | After experiencing problematic AstraZeneca opt-in registration, the minister for “immunisation” Khairy Jamaluddin said the vaccine will now be incorporated into the main National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

I think the minister is mistaken. The high demand for AstraZeneca is not due to its popularity per se. It is simply because many are still anxiously waiting for their turn to be immunised under the national immunisation programme.

Continuing to allow opt-in for the AstraZeneca vaccine would at least give opportunities to some who want to vaccinate earlier.

If there are problems with opt-in registration, the solution is to fix them, not to scrap the whole thing.

Putting AstraZeneca under the national immunisation programme together with other vaccines and allowing the people to choose would complicate matters further. What if most people prefer Pfizer? Potentially we are going to create more problems and dissatisfaction.

I think it is better for the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) not to think or introduce more sophistication into the registration system like allowing the people to choose the vaccine, the date and the venue of vaccination. If we are not able to handle two variables, please don’t try to bring in another five.

Doing the simple and basic things first and getting as many people as possible vaccinated should be the utmost priority.

For example:

1. Can we make sure the hotline is working - I mean we should be able to talk to someone who is able to provide a solution after two calls? I have called many times before, and each time I waited until the line was cut off. There was not even once I was able to speak to the real person. So, tell me what is the purpose of that hotline - wallflower?

2. Can we make sure that dependents and husbands and wives are given the same venue, date and time for vaccination? Right now, any attempt to harmonise any of this is next to impossible.

3. I must say the actual vaccination process was orderly and reasonably fast. Most should be able to get it done in an hour or so. However, the congestion and lack of parking outside the vaccination centre is horrendous at times. The task force must be able to see all this before selecting a venue.

By the way, I think KJ has done a good job given the circumstances. I would not prefer another minister from the present cabinet to be in charge, I mean.  

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.