KJ: Vaccine recipients sent to wrong state due to address selection mistake
UPDATED 3.32PM | Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the authorities have investigated cases of people being sent to the wrong state after registering for their Covid-19 vaccine in the MySejahtera app and concluded it was an issue with the Google Maps API.
He explained that when people key in their neighbourhood, the map lists out all neighbourhoods with the same name and some users may choose the first address on the list even though it is the wrong one.
"For example, somebody stay in Taman Bahagia in Kuala Lumpur. They type out 'Taman Bahagia' and all the 'Taman Bagia' drops...
UPDATED 3.32PM | Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the authorities have investigated cases of people being sent to the wrong state after registering for their Covid-19 vaccine in the MySejahtera app and concluded it was an issue with the Google Maps API.
He explained that when people key in their neighbourhood, the map lists out all neighbourhoods with the same name and some users may choose the first address on the list even, though it is the wrong one.
"For example, somebody stays in Taman Bahagia in Kuala Lumpur. They type out 'Taman Bahagia' and all the 'Taman Bahagia' drops down in the Google API.
"They click on the first 'Taman Bahagia' and as a result, they end up in Taman Bahagia, Sandakan," he said.
As such, Khairy said the registration process will be improved by requiring registrants to confirm their state and postcode.
"My message is for MySejahtera users to update their address field so such incidents can be minimised or eliminated completely.
"Please update your address field and put in your state and postcode details so this problem won't occur in future," he said.
Khairy added that an interactive help feature will also be added to the MySejahtera app to assist people in resolving such issues.
Many who registered for vaccination were frustrated that their appointments had been changed or pushed back without reason.
These include being sent to another state for vaccination and being unable to get through the Special Committee On Covid-19 Vaccine Supply’s (JKJAV) hotline for help.
New feature to be added to MySejahtera app
Yesterday, the science, technology and innovation minister announced a new feature that will be added to the MySejahtera app, where the people can cancel and reschedule their vaccination appointment soon.
Meanwhile, Khairy said an average of 20 percent of individuals missing their vaccination appointment for various reasons, some claimed to face transportation issues while others were procrastinating in getting their shots.
About 80 percent of individuals were showing up for their vaccination appointment, he said.
However, Khairy noted that there has been an improvement in the numbers of vaccination registration, particularly with the country recording a sudden surge in new Covid-19 cases.
"So, their awareness in getting vaccination improved and this has become an urgent issue for them.
"This was an issue we discussed with states' CITF to expedite the vaccination programme," he added.
To a question, Khairy opined that compounding those who miss their vaccination appointment would be the last resort and the government would focus on reminding individuals to show up for vaccination appointment.
"For now, we will still be trying to contact and encourage them to show up for their appointments, maybe that (fining those who miss their appointment) is the last issue," he said.
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