National Immunisation Programme: Creative ways to boost registration

By Nuradzimmah Daim - April 6, 2021 @ 9:05am

KUALA LUMPUR: Creative solutions may be needed to boost the registration for the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme (NIP).

Former Malaysian Medical Association president Professor Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan said inoculation against Covid-19 should be promoted as a patriotic duty to protect the country and citizens.

He said companies could promote the vaccination drive by offering special services to consumers.

The Melaka-Manipal Medical College professor of obstetrics and gynaecology said: "Uber is apparently providing 10 million free or discounted rides in North America, Europe and in certain countries in Asia.

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"They were roped in with others to offer these rides to vaccination centres.

"In the United States and Israel, bars and restaurants provide free food and drinks to citizens getting vaccinations.

"In the US, employers are offering perks, including cash rewards and days off, to get their staff vaccinated," he told the New Straits Times on Sunday.

The number of people who have registered for vaccination is 7.7 million, or 32 per cent of the country's population.

Dr Tharmaseelan said many supermarket chains there were offering free coupons and e-wallets to those getting vaccinated.

He said tax exemptions could be given to participating corporations.

"This is a pandemic. More efforts must be made to reach out to people.

"We should not wait for them to come or register.

"The authorities should go to them, especially the disabled, bedridden and the poor, who have no transportation to reach vaccination centres or even to go out and register.

"All the money collected as fines by the authorities for those flouting the standard operating procedures and travel restrictions should be used for facilitating registrations and vaccinations, including free transport and food."

Epidemiologist and biostatistician Associate Professor Dr Malina Osman said all sectors should participate in promoting the registration, in particular those with frontdesk services, like private clinics, banks, petrol kiosks, shopping complexes and post offices.

She said higher learning institutions should coordinate the registration for their staff and students.

During convocations, she said, universities and colleges could facilitate the registration among students' parents and families by setting up booths.

On those with chronic diseases, Dr Malina said most them would have medical records with hospitals and clinics.

"Instead of waiting for these patients to register, clinics and hospitals could register them for the vaccination and set the appointments, similar like the follow-up (medical) appointment process."

This, she said, could be done for those who were supposed to receive the vaccines in Phase 3.

"Those who need to go for Covid-19 screening, or those being traced in contact-tracing activities, should be registered for the vaccination right there and then.

"Perhaps the vaccine can be given (if available) once the person is confirmed negative.

"I'm sure as the number of new cases reported is still about 1,000, we should have thousands of others being traced (under contact- tracing activities).

"If we can use this platform, thousands can be registered daily."

While she agreed with the tax relief suggestions for sectors participating in encouraging vaccine registration, Dr Malina said people should come forward voluntarily for their health and not for money or incentives.