GEORGE TOWN: More vaccination centres are needed under the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas) to ramp up the process of vaccinating factory workers.

       Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said there was a need for more vaccination centres (PPVs) to get more factory workers vaccinated on a daily basis in the state.

       There are two types of PPVs under Pikas spearheaded by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

       One is the on-site PPV arranged by big companies which may include employees of companies of suppliers, and the other is for smaller companies at PPVs set up by Miti.

       “Currently, in Penang, we have one set up by Miti at Equatorial Hotel for factories and SMEs which is not part of the on-site PPVs.

       “We then have a few on-site PPVs under Pikas, like the one at Bukit Jawi Golf Resort on the mainland, which started mid-June and will close once they have rolled out the second doses for around 14,000 workers from 21 companies.

       “On the island, there are three on-site PPVs. Two began vaccinating their workers this week and one will start soon.

       “These on-site PPVs are created to vaccinate their employees and those who have come on board with them. As it is for a fixed number of people, once the second dose is administered, they will close, ” said Ong.

       He also said that so far, one on-site PPV would remain open to vaccinate more factory workers but the move required time and planning.

       “Once the on-site PPVs close, only the one under Miti will be operating, ” he said.

       Ong noted that one common PPV was not enough to cover all the factory workers in the state.

       Penang has an estimated 350,000 factory workers and to achieve the 80% target means vaccinating 280,000 people.

       “These centres under Pikas can vaccinate 1,000 or so a day. We estimate that all the current on-site PPVs will vaccinate around 10,000 or so each, while the Miti one might cover about 30,000.

       “There are still many factory workers who need to be vaccinated as there is a gap to reach 80%.

       “Some employees may have registered under the MySejahtera app but it takes time for them to get their turn, ” he said.

       Ong said there was a need to set up more PPVs for factories on the mainland, with the many SMEs located there.

       “A few factories on the mainland have submitted their plans to become on-site PPVs, but there is still a need for more to quicken the process, ” he added.

       On compelling manufacturers in enhanced movement control order areas to carry out Covid-19 tests for their workers twice a week, Ong said it was costly and not feasible in the long run.

       Ong suggests that test kits be subsidised or given for free if it is necessary to test workers twice a week.