SIBU, June 12: The residents of Sibu Benevolent Society were finally jabbed against Covid-19 today.
The vaccination on the 28-odd residents was done at their convenience when a nine-member mobile vaccination team from the Health Department came to the home.
The youngest resident is a 57-year-old man while the eldest is an 89-year-old woman.
Vice chairman of the Society Robert Chew said in April, the residents underwent a health check to determine whether they were eligible for the vaccination.
“However the vaccination did not take place. So another health check was done on them in late May for this vaccination,” he revealed.
They were informed on April 28 on today’s vaccination appointment.
Chew said they had requested that the residents be inoculated at the home instead of at a vaccination centre.
“If it is to be done at a vaccination centre, we will have a hard time controlling them as they usually like to move around,” he reasoned.
Chew said most of the 28 residents, including nine men, have comorbidities of high blood pressure and diabetes.
One of them has a liver problem while another one is a cancer patient.
The 11 staff of the home, however, had received the vaccine on March 4.
A recipient, Ling Hock Poh who is the youngest resident, said he was a bit anxious before being vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.
“I was a bit anxious when the nurse was about to inject the needle on my shoulder,” he said.
Ling, who has diabetes and cough, said other than needle pain on his shoulder, he did not experience any side effects then.
The bachelor Ling has been staying in the home for two years. He was formerly working in a timber camp in Kapit.
A spokeswoman from the mobile team said they had to cover five old folk homes here.
Vaccination took place on June 9 at three homes namely Rejang Nursing Care Centre, Love Care Centre at KPJ, and Apha Home Centre.
After Sibu Benevolent Society, the team will head to High Q Senior Enrichment on June 14. — DayakDaily
