PUTRAJAYA: The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) has approved the opening of two more industry vaccination centres (PPVIN) for the land transport sector to be carried out by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad.

       Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said two Prasarana assets namely the Putra Heights LRT station and the Cheras Selatan Rapid Bus Complex have been converted into PPVIN facilities to support the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

       “The PPVIN in Putra Heights LRT station is an integrated line with the Kelana Jaya LRT and the Ampang/Sri Petaling Line LRT lines and commenced operations on July 19.

       “The PPVIN at the Cheras Selatan Rapid Bus Complex will begin operations on July 21,” he said on Monday (July 19).

       Dr Wee had earlier visited the PPVIN at the Putra Heights LRT station, a joint initiative by the Transport Ministry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti) Ministry and Health Ministry to carry out the vaccination programme for economic frontliners in the transport sector.

       As of July 17, two PPVIN for the transport sector have started operating for the maritime and aviation transport sectors to deliver vaccines to about 32,243 recipients.

       The minister said that the Putra Heights centre will be serving about 2,598 recipients involving Prasarana staff from rail services and the employees of Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp).

       A total of 2,914 recipients will receive their vaccines at the Cheras Selatan Rapid Bus Complex, comprising staff of the company’s bus service operations.

       “Prasarana has also assigned its employees who have volunteered at the vaccination centres to assist in crowd and queue control, logistics and registrations.

       “The opening of these PPVIN is part of larger efforts to expedite delivery of vaccines to the transport sector, which is an essential service to ensure that the movement of goods and daily lives of people are not hindered,” he said.

       Dr Wee said the Transport Ministry had also submitted a list of 48,973 names from the taxi and e-hailing categories and 69,458 p-hailing riders’ names for vaccination.

       Based on existing data as of July 17, some 56% taxi and e-hailing drivers have received their vaccination appointments, and 49% for p-hailing riders.

       “The ministry is also in the process of obtaining approvals to open additional PPVIN for the transport sector in Johor, Penang, Pahang, Terengganu, Perak, and Selangor, as well as additional doses for Port Klang to expedite vaccinations for seafarers, port workers, and logistics sector employees.

       “This initiative is estimated to benefit more than 54,000 transport sector workers. The ministry remains committed to working with the CITF in making the immunisation programme a success by ensuring the transport industry workers receive their vaccines as soon as possible,” he said.