76-Year-Old Single Mum Walked For 3 Hours To Get Her COVID-19 Vaccine In Kota Bharu
She had already scheduled her appointment to get the first dose of the vaccine in May after having to postpone the appointment due to transportation problems and she didn't want to miss this one too.
By Sadho Ram — 12 Jun 2021, 12:57 PM — Updated over 3 years ago
Recently, an elderly woman had to walk for three hours from her home to get her COVID-19 vaccination in Lundang, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
According to the 76-year-old single mother, she was determined to get the jab despite having had to walk all the way to the Balai Islam Complex in Lundang from her home in Kampung Pasir Hor on 1 June.
Siti Merian Sulong said that while her son, Suhaimi Husin, had a motorcycle, it had broken down.
She had already scheduled her appointment to get the first dose of the vaccine in May after having to postpone the appointment due to transportation problems and she didn't want to miss this one too.
"On the latest appointment day, my son's motorcycle again broke down," she told Bernama yesterday, 11 June, adding that as she didn't want to miss her appointment for a second time, she decided to walk.
She left home at 10am for her appointment at 1.30pm
The mother of four, while speaking of reporters at her home yesterday, said that she reached the Lundang Balai Islam Complex at 1pm, having covered a distance of about three kilometres.
Siti Meriam said that while two of her children stay with her, she did not want to trouble them on the day as they were facing health problems. Her two other children live outside Kelantan.
However, the walk proved tiring
When she arrived at the PPV, Siti Meriam sought permission from a nurse to rest first.
"As soon as I arrived, I was told that it was my turn but I asked to be allowed to rest for a while because I was tired after walking so far," 76-year-old said, adding that after she was given the jab, the personnel on duty was kind enough to book her a Grab and also paid for it to send her home.
Siti Meriam's second jab is scheduled for 22 June
She has urged senior citizens like her to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the virus.
It is hoped that she won't have to walk to the PPV on 22 June as Kota Bharu residents are offered free shuttle service as announced by local member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
The announcement was made on 28 May with the service starting from 30 May.
The Kota Bharu MP is also offering RM20 incentive to those in his constituency to get themselves vaccinated, provided they fulfil a set of three conditions.
The first condition, he said, recipients must be voters in the constituency. Secondly, they must produce a confirmation letter stating that they have received their jabs and lastly, they must bring along their MyKad.
