IPOH: Raisul Amir Ahmad Shahbudin, his mother and sister were among the first to receive their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine via a drive-through at the Indera Mulia Stadium vaccine delivery centre (PPV) here today.
The 27-year-old man said his 57-year-old mother, Azizah Ayob and 23-year-old sister, Ainur Wardah from Taman Meru here received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as they were selected to perform the Haj this season.
"We received a phone call from the Perak Health Department yesterday and they gave us an option whether we want to get the vaccine via drive-through or line-up in the facility. I chose drive-through because for me it is more convenient and saves time.
"Previously, when we received the first dose, we had to wait about three hours and needed to get through many levels before we got the vaccination. This time it only took about 10 minutes," he told reporters when met at the facility here today.
Raisul said his family was selected to perform Haj last year but due to the spike in Covid-19 cases, they were unable to and he was hoped the family would get another chance this year.
They were among 100 people in the Kinta district receiving their second dose via the drive-through today.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad and Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming.
Saarani said the addition of drive-through counters is also expected to increase the number of vaccine recipients at PPVs here up to 2,500 people per day.
"The increase in the number of vaccine recipients at PPVs here started with 250 recipients a day and increased gradually until it reached 1,900 daily.
"The growing number of vaccine recipients is in line with the increase in the number of officers placed in PPVs here. The number of vaccinators started with six people and has now increased to 24," he added.