KUALA LUMPUR: Volunteer Muhammad Syahir Roshidi, 22, from Ampang Jaya, Selangor, has an important task, along with others deployed to the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil vaccination centre (PPV), in ensuring the smooth process in managing Covid-19 vaccine recipients at the PPV.
He is among those assigned to the centre, set up under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP), which will start operations at 8am today.
The multimedia undergraduate at Universiti Kuala Lumpur was assigned to drive a buggy to ferry recipients with mobility issues to and from the carpark and the light rail transit station in the huge Bukit Jalil Stadium compound.
"While this is not the first time I am participating in volunteer work, it is an invaluable experience as I can learn about the vaccination process.
"It is also interesting because I have access to places most people can't go to.
"It is better to contribute my time and energy to this programme than stay at home during the lockdown."
Axiata Arena PPV manager Dr Mohd Fadhli Mohd Fauzi said the centre, which offered a waiting area with 30 vaccination booths, was expected to cater to 1,600 vaccine recipients daily,
The PPV was set up to replace the Desa Tasik Sports Complex and Taman Muhibbah Community Complex PPVs, which administered 800 to 900 doses of vaccines daily, he added.
Fadhli said the number of doses administered at the PPV could increase to 4,000 per day in the coming weeks.
He advised visitors to adhere to the standard operating procedures at the centre to ensure a smooth vaccination process.
"We recommend that vaccine recipients come 30 to 60 minutes prior to the appointment time, but not earlier than that.
"This is to prevent crowding and ensure that physical distancing can be maintained at all times. Please refrain from coming in groups. For senior citizens, they can bring only one guardian," said the medical officer from the Cheras district Health office.
Fadhli advised those with Covid-19 symptoms against coming to the centre to prevent the possible spread of the virus.
He said a new date, normally set a week later, would be given via the MySejahtera app to those who missed the appointment due to health and emergency reasons.
There would be an information counter set up at the centre for inquiries, he said.
Fadhli said staff members would be placed at the Desa Tasik Sports Complex and Taman Muhibbah Community Complex PPVs to assist those who were unaware of the new centre.
NIP Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is science, technology and innovation minister, as well as Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, earlier visited the PPV to check the progress of preparations.