KUALA LUMPUR – The government assures that the personal data of recipients who register to receive vaccine jabs under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme will not be revealed to the vaccine manufacturer concerned.
Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said however that data may be shared with the pharmaceutical company involved if the information is related to an “adverse event following immunisation (AEFI)”.
“The people need not worry. We will not reveal their personal data to the vaccine manufacturing company, and will only share it in cases of AEFI.
“For the situation between Pfizer-BioNTech and Israel, they have already agreed to share recipients’ details...besides, Israel is more advanced in receiving the vaccine,” said the science, technology, and innovation minister.
Khairy said this during the “Sembang Vaksin” video programme organised via Zoom by a group of doctors and health personnel on Twitter last night.
He said the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV) is discussing the involvement of private hospitals and medical practitioners in phases two and three of the immunisation programme.
He said both phases need more health personnel, including those from private hospitals and facilities, to implement the programme nationwide.
“It should be stressed that a portion of the people will be receiving their vaccines in private hospitals and health facilities during phases two and three. The vaccines would still be dispensed for free,” he said.
He said for the time being, JKJAV has set that all procurement of vaccines from manufacturers must be made through the government to ensure equity of immunisation to the people eligible for vaccines.
Khairy said that the government will monitor and set the ceiling price for vaccines in private hospitals when they eventually become available for the public market.
He said the government is also studying a proposal to formulate a new ordinance on spreading fake news on the Covid-19 vaccines, as it can spread confusion and fear among the public.
Khairy said that as at 6.30pm yesterday, 15,923 individuals had received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines since the first phase of the programme was launched on February 24. – Bernama, March 1, 2021