The world of Tzu Chi September-October 2021 (Vol.137)

2021 • 10 06 “I am so grateful that I get to receive my vaccination here! Only at this location do I feel at ease. Preventive SOPs are strictly observed here. The washrooms are so clean and well sanitized. The medical personnel and volunteer helpers provide excellent service. Everything is well done!” Cai Hui Lan uttered, upon receiving her first dose of vaccine at the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall vaccination centre. Hui Lan, who suffers from hypertension, had been to other vaccination centres on four occasions, but failed to be vaccinated due to her high blood pressure readings. However, at the Jing Si Hall, the medical personnel patiently monitored her readings from 11.30 a.m. Finally, at 3.00 p.m., her readings fell to a safe level, and she successfully received her vaccination. All were so happy for her. Throughout its operation, the Jing Si Hall vaccination centre had received compliments from the public, thanks to the volunteers’ good work. Among them, Tan Lay Heong, who led the cleaning team, expressed, “To give is a blessing. I have never considered the risks, but just take the necessary precautions. To me, this is my duty on the Bodhisattva Path.” Coming forward for the sake of herd immunity Since May this year, Covid-19 cases have been rising steeply in Malaysia. To achieve herd immunity, the authorities sped up the setting up of vaccination centres. In response to the need, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor offered its Jing Si Hall premises to be used as a vaccination centre. Approval was given, and Tzu Chi became the first NGO to set up a public vaccination centre under the National Covid-19 Immunization Programme (PICK). After a successful trial run on June 11, the vaccination centre officially commenced its operation on June 19. At its peak, 800 doses of vaccine were administered daily. Each day, 70 non-medical volunteers and 25 medical volunteers reported for duty. All of them served on a nominated day each week, committing for 13 consecutive weeks*. In fact, more than 160 volunteers signed up for the duty shift within an hour after the registration opened, and the quota was fulfilled by the following day—an indication of the volunteers’ sense of mission despite the worsening pandemic. Each day, teams of volunteers reported for duty hoping that more people would be protected against the virus through vaccination. Besides the traffic control team who greeted and assisted the vaccinees upon their arrival, there were volunteers manning the six stations which comprise of temperature check, registration, counselling and signing of the consent form, vaccination, observation, and appointment for the second dose. Many pecial Feature