PETALING JAYA: The 360 Setia Ecohill Welcome Centre, which is now an integrated Covid 19 vaccination centre (PPV), is ready to receive walk-ins for the disabled and those above 60, says centre coordinator Dr Siti Jariani Mohd Jani.

       “We have readied extra doses as a buffer stock to accommodate walk-ins under these categories.

       “As for walk-ins over the age of 18, this will only take effect from Aug 1. We are still awaiting the official announcement by the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF). Only selected PPVs will cater to this group,” she said.

       On Monday, CITF announced that the walk-in initiative at PPVs in the Klang Valley beginning Aug 1 is only for those who could not register for appointments and those who have not received an appointment.

       Currently, CITF is in the process of updating the list of PPVs that will cater to walk-ins.

       Dr Siti Jariani said they had prepared 50 extra doses for walk-ins comprising people who are disabled and those over 60.

       “So far, the maximum number of walk-ins is 40 recipients.

       “But there are some no-shows among those who have registered. To ensure the vaccines are not wasted, we will give it to walk-ins on case-by-case basis,” she said.

       Dr Ahmad Fairuz Mohamed, chief executive officer of Medi Ihsan Occupational Safety and Health, the healthcare provider engaged by the government to administer the vaccines at the centre, said his medical team had set up an extra four injection rooms and consultation counters.

       At the moment, two counters have been specially designated for such walk-ins.

       “We will monitor the crowd at holding areas in each station to ensure a smooth process flow and that physical distancing is maintained.

       “If there is a need, more staff members will be put on duty to administer the vaccine,” said Dr Ahmad Fairuz, adding that trial runs would also be carried out.

       Setia Ecohill Welcome Centre general manager Koh Sooi Meng said they received 500 recipients daily when it was first opened as a PPV earlier this month.

       “Now, we can take in between 1,200 and 1,300 recipients a day,” Koh said.