More PwDs urged to get vaccinated at OKU Sentral drive-through PPV

JOHOR BAHRU: The OKU Sentral today expressed hope that more persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Johor Bahru city and its surrounding areas will come out and take the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at its drive-through vaccination centre (PPV) here.

Its president Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi said based on feedback received, some of them admitted that having no means of transportation was the main factor that made it difficult for them to get to the PPV.

"In the first and second week, many disabled individuals turned up to get vaccinated, but over time, we found that fewer disabled people were turning up. We have more senior citizens. When we checked, some admitted there was no transport.

"Hence, we, together with the relevant agencies, such as the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the District Council, will ensure that they will be assisted to receive the vaccine at the PPV," she told reporters at OKU Sentral drive-through PPV, at the Pusat Akuatik Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru, Arena Larkin, today.

She said this when commenting on the development of the immunisation exercise at the drive-through PPV, which started on Aug 25.

Earlier, Ras Adiba, who is also a Member of the Senate and the chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), accompanied Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, during his visit to the PPV.

As of yesterday, a total of 4,588 PWDs, senior citizens and caregivers or guardians of PWDs have received the first dose of the vaccine, and it is expected that more than 7,000 individuals will complete the two-dose vaccination at the PPV by Oct 3.

-- BERNAMA