Crowd Throngs Kuala Langat Mp S Vaccination Centre In Jenjarom Temple

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Hundreds of Jenjarom residents thronged the Ban Siew Keng Temple early this morning where Kuala Langat MP Dr Xavier Jayakumar had set up a centre to administer Covid-19 vaccinations on a first-come-first-served basis.
Several videos shared on social media showed a long queue at the temple in Jenjarom, Selangor comprising people of all ages.
When contacted, Xavier said steps were taken to control the crowd, many of whom waited in line for several hours until doors opened at 9am.
He said Kuala Langat residents living within 10km of the temple, aged above 18 years old, and who have not received a vaccination appointment on MySejahtera could go to the centre to get jabbed.
"Some people were there since 6am to become the first recipient. So we took in 500 people.
"After that, we told people outside the temple we will give coupons for the first 100 appointments tomorrow," he told Malaysiakini.
Xavier said the vaccination centre there is operating in cooperation with the district health office.
Over the next seven days, he said 3,500 people will be given their first Sinovac vaccine shot, at a rate of 500 doses per day.
Several videos posted on social media showed a large crowd in long queues waiting for their chance to be vaccinated, sparking concerns over the lack of physical distancing.
Since 9am this morning, Xavier said his team identified 500 people to be the first recipients, to be divided into five smaller groups of 100 every hour.
"We put 100 people inside the hall for vaccination and we send the others back with a slip and number to come at the correct time.
"We started at 9am, the second batch at 10am, and last at 1pm. So they have the timing to go home and come back," he said.

He said another 100 recipients will be given coupons to be the first group shot the next day.

Quizzed on concerns about the large crowd, Xavier said larger gatherings could be seen at mega vaccination centres.
"My crowd is only 500 people. Of course on the first day, everyone is rushing there.
"But the next few days will be better," he added.
Both Xavier and the temple committee had on Thursday announced the opening of the centre and its operations from 9am to 4pm for seven days from today.
Responding to the announcement, former Jenjarom New Village chief Chen Zhen Xing welcomed the vaccination programme but raised concerns over the number of participants.
"I initially thought this was only for the villagers but apparently the MP (Xavier) has his own political concerns where he can allow all his constituents to come to the Ban Siew Keng temple and get vaccinated.
"This makes us people in Kg Baru Jenjarom very worried," Chen said in a video shared on Facebook.
On Facebook, several local restaurants announced their businesses will be closed for the week over concerns of the expected large crowd.

Chen further urged Xavier to consider relocating the vaccination centre to Dewan Jugra in Banting.

In dismissing Chen's call, Xavier said his office is prepared to expand their initiative to include a mobile vaccination drive targeting villagers.
Since the nationwide daily Covid-19 cases climbed to five digits on July 13, Selangor has consistently topped the list of states affected by the virus. It has also consistently contributed about half of the nation's daily cases.
In an effort to boost vaccination numbers, Pharmaniaga yesterday confirmed the Selangor government had ordered 2.5 million Sinovac doses, on top of the amount to be received from Putrajaya under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. - Mkini

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