KEPALA BATAS: Thousands of people thronged the 10 Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPV) statewide this morning to take advantage of the walk-in vaccination option which kicked off here today.
Despite the PPVs only opening at 10am for walk-in vaccinations, the eager crowds started gathering as early as 8.30am.
However, the situation at all the 10 PPVs was under control.
Checks by the New Straits Times at the PPV at Dewan Millennium showed crowds starting to build up before 10am.
Many among the crowd were college students as well as those waiting to enter universities.
Among them were Muhammad Hafiz Izzudin Mohd Sakri and Pek Jin Wei, both of whom turn 18 in about two weeks and November respectively, as well as Muhammad Ammar Azehar, 18.
Hafiz and Pek were accompanied by their fathers.
Approached by the New Straits Times, Hafiz said he came for the walk-in vaccination in preparation for his entry into Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)'s in Dungun, Terengganu on Oct 11.
He will be taking a course in hygiene, technology and safety.
"I got to know about the walk-in vaccination from my friend yesterday and decided to come today.
"I have been offered a place at UiTM Dungun and scheduled to report next month. As such, I decided to come for the walk-in jab to better prepare myself for face-to-face lessons.
"If I don't get it now, then I figure it will be a hassle when I leave for Terengganu," he said.
Pek, who studies design at Two Studio Multimedia Academy in Bukit Mertajam, said he had been waiting since June to get vaccinated.
"I am glad that the state finally offered the walk-in option.
"At least this will make it easy for me when I go to college," he said.
Pek's father, Pek Kok Lim, 45, said he too was eager to get his youngest child, now 15, vaccinated as soon as possible.
"With the Covid-19 virus flying around now, it is better to be safe than sorry," he added, noting that he and his wife had been fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Ammar, who studies at a community college here, said he registered for vaccination in July and has yet to receive an appointment.
"For face-to-face lessons in college, we need at least one dose of vaccination. That is why I decided to walk-in for vaccination today.
"For now, our lessons are conducted online but for practical work, it is very difficult. So, by getting vaccinated, I am preparing myself to physically return to college.
"I have been waiting for so long to be vaccinated. I am happy I finally got it," he added.
It is learnt that the PPV at Dewan Millennium allocated 500 doses of the Sinovac vaccine for those who opted for walk-in vaccination.
Within the first two hours, more than 100 doses were snapped up.