JOHOR BAHRU – In Malaysia, getting a vaccination appointment is taking longer than usual due to delays caused by limited supply, leaving many frustrated and heading elsewhere to get vaccinated.
This was exactly what Mr and Mrs Lee did when they realised they wouldn’t be receiving an appointment soon, forcing them to travel over the Causeway to get one.
In an interview with China Press, the couple, who both hold a Permanent Resident status in Singapore, said they had lived in Johor Bahru since the implementation of the first Movement Control Order (MCO) last year.
Mrs Lee said she and her husband had registered through the MySejahtera app when the government announced the national vaccination rollout program.
However, after weeks of silence, they decided to try registering for Singapore’s vaccination programme instead, following its government’s announcement that registrations were open to those aged 45 to 59 starting March 24.
“I was a bit disappointed as I couldn’t get my appointment at a time when the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia was severe.”
“In fact, the situation was so bad that I was afraid to go out at all,” said Mrs Lee.
After the couple set foot into Singapore on February 28 and May 15 and respectively, both received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine without delay.
“I received the first dose on June 5, and the entire process took around 45 minutes,” said Mrs Lee.
She also added that aside from some minor side effects, she felt fine and will be getting the second dose on July 19.
“My husband and I have also decided to stay in Singapore for now as we wish to reunite with family members working here.”
Mrs Lee also reinforced the importance of getting vaccinated as it would help to protect one from experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
“Vaccination is a must-have protection for everyone. In the event where we might contract COVID-19, it would still help to alleviate the symptoms.”
Sources: Cover image via China Press
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
