Overcrowding at KK Covid-19 vaccination centre: 'We were just following instructions'

 By Olivia Miwil - May 17, 2021 @ 4:31pm

Sabah Health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi. - NSTP file pic

KOTA KINABALU: A woman has denied her family was among those who had violated the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that had led to overcrowding at a vaccination centre this morning.

Sabah Health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi had earlier said the congestion at the multipurpose hall federal administrative complex was due to people not adhering to their respective vaccination appointments.

However, Audrey Susan Tunggolou, who was accompanying her 78-year-old father for a second dose of the vaccine, said they were there as scheduled.

"After my father had his first dose, the official informed us to come at our own convenient time on May 17 for the second dose instead of following the given appointment on MySejahtera.

"I had asked the officer twice on the matter and he confirmed that we could come anytime," she said, adding that the appointment card did not state the specific time for the second jab.

Audrey, a former Likas community development community unit staff members, said her family members were law-abiding citizens, including her father, who is a retired senior government staff.

She said that it was inappropriate to imply senior citizens were disregarding their appointments.

"(This is because) for retired government servants, their pension will be revoked and terminated should they be found flouting the SOP."

Audrey said when they arrived at the centre, she was shocked by the large presence of people who mostly turned up for their second dose of vaccination.

Worried over the situation, she contacted Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin for feedback from the authorities.

"The People's Volunteer Corps were there. If they enforce physical distancing, the people would have to stand under the hot sun with some of them having to wait for hours.

"I am worried for my father to be in such a crowded place as his immunity is low," she said.

Audrey said they eventually decided to leave and return to the centre at 3.30pm as scheduled in MySejahtera.