Universiti Malaya (UM) welcomed around 1,000 volunteers on its first day as the designated vaccine administration centres (PPV) for the AstraZeneca vaccine held at Dewan 1 Bangunan Peperiksaan Universiti Malaya.
According to Madam Sarinah Salip, Coordinating Officer for the centre, UM and several other agencies such as (mohon) are working together to ensure that the vaccination process runs smoothly and the safety of all staff and receivers are protected.
“The process today has been well-ordered. We have been opening our counters since 8.30 in the morning and are expecting 966 receivers today who had registered on MySejahtera.
We also provide sufficient numbers of parking that are available within the vicinity of the vaccination building.”
Commenting on the vaccination process, Madam Sarinah said that the receivers will be provided counselling by doctors to determine the resting period for observation after receiving the jab.
“There are two categories for duration of observation, 15 or 30 minutes. The receivers will be asked to rest according to the doctor’s advice at a designated area after which they will be allowed to leave.”
Those who have registered and selected to receive the vaccination are advised to follow all instructions that has been set on MySejahtera especially the appointment schedule.
“Please check the MySejahtera application frequently to get the latest update. As there will be people who may get nervous prior to getting the vaccination, I advise all to get a proper sleep the day before,” she added.
According to Pharmacist Rashidah Abd Hamid from the Pharmacy Department, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), each vial of vaccine are stored at a temperature of 2-8° C, and away from sunlight.
“The vaccine is also stored at the pharmacy store, UMMC, in a pharmaceutical refrigerator equipped with a suitable temperature monitoring system as recommended by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“For storage of vaccines in transit in the vaccination zone (ZPV), unused vaccines are stored in a cold box complete with ice packs and 'data logger' or standard thermometer to comply with storage temperature requirements and SOP and set. There are four pharmacists who are currently tasked with handling the storage,” she added.
Maj (R) Syed Abd Aziz Syed Hashim, Director of Occupational Safety & Health and Environment Division (OSHE) UM said that the centre’s layout is set-up in-adherence to the SOP.
“We design the layout following strictly to the standard SOP that has been outlined by the National Security Council. Only people with the appointment are allowed to enter and upon entering the premise are required to scan the MySejahtera QR Code and have their temperature taken.
“We (OSHE) are also constantly monitoring both the staff and receivers to ensure that no violation of SOP such as social distancing. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, the premise will be sanitized daily before the next session on the next day. The sanitization process are assisted by the Lembah Pantai Fire Department.
The AstraZeneca vaccine opt-in is initially opened to 268,000 people in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on a "first click and first served" basis via the website. Universiti Malaya will operate as the designated vaccine administration centres (PPV) from 5 May until 6 June 2021. The centre are open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm (5 May – 12 May) and 8.00 am to 9.00 pm beginning 015 May until 6 June.
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