PONTIAN: The sudden closure of two vaccination centres in Pekan Nanas here amid the government’s efforts to boost daily vaccination rates have raised the eyebrows of many in the community.

       Deputy Primary Industries and Commodities Minister and Tanjung Piai MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said the Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, Pekan Nanas and Dewan Jubli Intan Pontian vaccination centres (PPVs) were temporarily closed from July 18 until July 21.

       “As the authorities did not give any prior notice before the closure of the two PPVs, my service centre received many calls and enquiries about the matter.

       “I take this issue very seriously and have relayed the message to the relevant minister,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday (July 19).

       Wee also posted a letter addressed to National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin in the post.

       He said that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had previously instructed all PPVs in the country to operate seven days a week to hasten vaccinations, in line with the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       “At the same time, the two PPVs in my area were told to close apparently due to the insufficient supply of vaccines.

       “This has caused worry and dissatisfaction among the local community, as the number of Covid-19 cases in the country continues to rise,” he said, adding that there were reports of Covid-19 cases every day in the Pontian district, which includes Pekan Nanas.

       “I urge the government to look into the vaccine supply issues as the people continue to wait for their turn to get vaccinated, especially senior citizens,” he said.

       Wee added that Malaysia could only win against Covid-19 when a majority of the people are vaccinated and herd immunity is achieved.