Page 8 - Berita-Sunway-72

On the Cover
Life After THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER

Vaccine With pandemic fatigue – defined by
the World Health Organization as
‘demotivation to follow recommended
protective behaviours’ – at an all-time
high after a prolonged lockdown, it is
tempting to forgo precautionary
measures such as wearing masks,
observing social distancing, and
practising good hygiene.
With the development of vaccines, is the end in sight However, Woo cautions against letting
for COVID-19? Berita Sunway looks at whether one’s guard down too soon, even if one (From left) Superintendent Amihizam Haji Abdul Shukor (Deputy District Police Chief of Subang Jaya), Dato’ Johary bin
vaccines can hit the reset button to pre-pandemic is vaccinated, as it takes time for a Anuar (District Officer at Petaling Land and District Office and Director of Petaling District Disaster Management
person to develop an immunity after
days, and why the decision to vaccinate is a step in vaccination. Committee), Dato’ Indera Dr. Sha’ari Bin Ngadiman (State Health Director of Selangor), Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey
Cheah (Sunway Group Founder and Chairman) and Tan Sri Datuk Seri Razman M. Hashim (Sunway Group Deputy
the right direction for a better future. “A vaccine recipient is still susceptible Executive Chairman) at the launch of public vaccination at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.
to being infected by the virus after the
irty-three-year-old senior nurse Vaccine passports, which are seen as the shot. erefore, it is important to “ e key effort now is to maximise the EVERYONE MUST PLAY THEIR PART
approach on awareness, education and
continue practicing infection preven-
Apnidyawati bt Amsy Priyadi was excited first step towards the reopening of tive measures, such as wearing a face adoption, to increase vaccine
when she finally received her vaccination international travel and kickstarting the mask and social distancing,” she said. confidence among the public. is In support of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, Sunway

appointment date, after constantly global economy, are fast becoming a involves education for all age groups, Group has sponsored the use of Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre
checking her MySejahtera app for weeks. reality, with countries like China and “As the National COVID-19 community leaders, religious leaders, (SPCC) for the Ministry of Health and Petaling District Health Centre as
Denmark already employing their versions Immunisation Programme is the technology platforms and public the official vaccination venue for 1.8 million people in the Petaling district
As a medical frontliner at Sunway Medical of digital health certificates. largest vaccination programme in the health professionals. Partnerships with until February 2022.
Centre, she works in close proximity with country’s history, challenges are to be private healthcare providers such as
healthcare colleagues and patients every Leaders in the European Union have expected. Besides vaccine hesitancy, Sunway Medical Centre as a As of mid-March, more than 2,500 frontline workers had been vaccinated,
day, communicating and performing backed the creation of a Digital Green there are also challenges in accessibility designated vaccination centre further with vaccination carried out by the Petaling Health District Office with
medical procedures without knowing their Certificate to facilitate the safe, free As of 18 April, almost nine million people have registered to be and education when it comes to expands the reach and speed of strict adherence to the SOPs – in small groups and adequate social distanc-
COVID-19 screening status. movement of citizens within the EU. vaccinated for COVID-19 in Malaysia – or 35% of the 25.6 million ing. Free parking is also provided for those coming to get vaccinated.
people that need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity by vaccines,” Woo said. achieving herd immunity,” she added.
February next year. Sunway has committed close to RM28 million in actual costs including
On 18 March, Apnidyawati was the first in As Malaysia has rolled out Phase 2 of
her ward to receive the first dose of the its National COVID-19 Immunisation associated costs for cleaning and sanitisation, as well as opportunity costs
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Programme on 19 April, with the end goal “In a pandemic, vaccination is the safer option for individuals to build resulting from cancelled bookings made earlier by clients for the convention
the hospital. of inoculating 80% of the people by an immune response against the virus, as well as to achieve herd centre, which is the first private vaccination centre in the country.
February 2022, can we expect to return to immunity against COVID-19 to lower the overall amount of virus
“I believe that many, especially those in pre-pandemic days then? Does vaccination spread in the whole population,” explained Sunway Medical Centre’s Since the start of the pandemic last year, Sunway has committed more than
healthcare, have been desperately waiting make people invincible to the coronavirus Allied Health Services Director Sherry Woo, who represents the RM50 million that includes more than RM12 million to support Govern-
for this since last year. It feels like we can that has infected more than 141 million Sunway Medical Centre’s Vaccination Committee. ment healthcare institutions and professionals and RM20 million to provide
finally see the light at the end of the people and snatched over three million retailers rent-free days during the movement control order (MCO 1.0)
tunnel,” said Apnidyawati. lives worldwide in just one year? Herd immunity or population immunity is the indirect protection period, and support for the current national immunisation programme. is
from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune is Sunway’s commitment – to give back to society and contribute to
either through vaccination or an immunity developed through “I think it is important to shift our mindset to embrace a new nation-building.
e availability of COVID-19 vaccines has VACCINATION: FIRST STEP IN normal. No country or individual is completely safe until the
injected optimism into a global pandemic, THE RIGHT DIRECTION previous infection. majority of the world’s population is vaccinated. ere is still a
renewing hopes of beating the coronavirus, long time more for this to happen, but it begins now with Having been vaccinated, Apnidyawati hopes everyone will do their part to
and restoring a semblance of normal life According to the World Health “Working towards herd immunity helps protect vulnerable groups get vaccinated as well. “I believe we will be able to achieve the 80% vaccina-
after a disruptive and depressing year of Organization (WHO), vaccines reduce the who cannot get vaccinated due to health conditions – allergic reactions vaccination. Even if you are vaccinated, we highly encourage you tion herd immunity or higher if every Malaysian plays their part in breaking
lockdown restrictions. risks of getting a disease by training a to the vaccines or those with critical illnesses – and children. to continue practising the 3Ws and avoiding the 3Cs,” said Woo. the chain of transmission, through having the right knowledge on the

person’s immune system to recognise and Unvaccinated individuals that live in communities with a high [See below on ‘Stay Safe in a Pandemic’] importance of vaccination. Getting vaccinated not only breaks the chain of
fight off viruses and bacteria that are proportion of immunity have a significant reduced risk of contracting transmission but also protects those who are not able to be vaccinated,”
In the US, holding a vaccination card – an
official document indicating one’s targeted. the virus,” said Woo. she said.
vaccinated status – grants customers’ entry
into events and business premises, as the Currently, there are vaccines to prevent As more people in a community get vaccinated, fewer people remain STAY SAFE IN A PANDEMIC ose who are worried and fearful of the vaccine should clear their concerns

private sector strives to reopen physical over 20 life-threatening diseases, helping vulnerable, and there is less possibility for an infected person to pass Practise: 3Ws Avoid: 3Cs with a medical practitioner and ensure their information on vaccines is from

operations safely in the new normal. people to live longer, healthier lives. the pathogen on to another person. reliable sources, Apnidyawati added.
Vaccination helps prevent between two
million to three million deaths every year “If a vaccine has, for example, 70% efficacy, it means that relative risk • Wear a mask • Crowded places “While the virus and vaccine are related, they are distinctly separate, as the
from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, of getting infected is reduced by 70% in those who are vaccinated, • Wash your hands • Close contacts threat from the COVID-19 virus is real while the threat from the
pertussis, influenza, and measles. compared to an unvaccinated person,” said Woo. • Watch your distance • Closed spaces COVID-19 vaccine could very much be perceived,” she said.
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