Recently, there have been several incidents of people receiving empty vaccines, which has led to many others wanting to record their vaccination process just in case the same thing happens to them.
However, the government has not been able to meet the demand of allowing vaccine recipients to take photos or videos at vaccination centres (PPV) as it might disrupt the smooth flow of the vaccination process, reported Kosmo.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim said that allowing vaccine recipients to record the process might slow things down at PPVs.
“So far, we do not allow (video and photo taking) because we do not want the vaccination process in PPV to be slow,” he said.
“However, recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine are encouraged to ask PPV staff to show them the syringe before the injection is done.”
He added that staff at PPVs are instructed to show each vaccine recipient the syringe before and after the injection. He said that this is to reassure recipients that the injections do indeed contain the Covid-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, Kosmo also reported that the cause of previous cases of ’empty vaccines’ is likely to be due to fatigue faced by staff and frontline volunteers at PPVs.
Because this possibility cannot be ruled out, all staff are advised to come forward with their condition if they are tired and feel the need to get some rest.
According to Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, three cases of empty vaccines are still under investigation. However, the health workers involved in the case that took place in Sungai Petani have been reprimanded.
He said that health workers are exhausted after more than a year of being on duty due to the Covid-19 outbreak and are in dire need of a break.
“In my opinion, if the health workers are tired, they must talk, share the problem and not just keep quiet. Instead, they need to ask for rest,” he said during his visit to the Public PPV of Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council Hall (MPKK).
“Because if you are tired but continue, there is the worry that you will be unproductive. We are worried because administering the vaccine is a very serious matter as it involves people’s health and lives.”
Please be alert when you are receiving your vaccine and ensure that the health worker is administering the vaccine properly. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you sense something amiss.
Also read: M’sian Injected Twice On The Spot At MITEC After He Claims Nurse Gave Him ‘Empty Syringe’
