PETALING JAYA: The health ministry has clarified that a Covid-19 vaccine consent form which is making its rounds and was published by the Penang Health Department has not been finalised.
In a statement, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a consent form was needed for vaccination as the vaccine was given to the people on a voluntary basis.
He said similar forms are used overseas where people have to opt-in for the respective vaccination programmes.
“The contents of the consent form are to ensure that all vaccine recipients fully understand what they have read or understood from a health worker’s explanation on the benefits and risks,” he said.
Noor Hisham said all vaccines used in the country will be evaluated for their quality, efficacy and safety by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
He also said reports from other countries which have used the vaccines so far indicate they are safe.
“The health ministry wishes to inform that the finalised Covid-19 vaccine consent form will be distributed to all recipients in the near future,” he said.
He advised the public against spreading inaccurate information that can lead to uneasiness.
Yesterday, FMT reported that the Penang Health Department’s website had published the Covid-19 vaccination consent form.
The form has since been removed from the website.
The registration process for those who wish to receive the Covid-19 vaccine is set to start next month.
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