Empty shot: Vaccinator gets the boot, parents now can accompany teens

A vaccinator who was caught on video administering an empty shot to a teenage Covid-19 vaccine recipient two days ago has been terminated from service.

Following the incident, the Health Ministry has also decided to allow every underaged individual to be accompanied by either a parent or a guardian during the inoculation process.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali (above) said the government views such incidents seriously and would take the necessary measures to ensure the vaccination process is done safely.

"Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force for Adolescents (CITF-A) has looked into a report on the incident, and was informed that the healthcare organisation hired by ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd has terminated the vaccinator's service at Universiti Malaya vaccination centre with immediate effect," he said in a statement today.

"The safety and wellbeing of vaccine recipients continue to be our priority, and all healthcare workers will continue to be monitored to ensure that they follow the standard operating procedures (SOP)," Noor Azmi added.

For information, the female vaccinator was only terminated from service with ProtectHealth. According to a Health Ministry spokesperson, she still has her job with the healthcare organisation but will no longer be allowed to work at any PPV.

Video recording allowed

CITF-A also decided to allow an adult to accompany teenagers during vaccination after taking into consideration the concerns that parents have on the immunisation process, he said.

Starting tomorrow, a parent or guardian would be allowed to be with a teenage recipient until they receive their shots.

They are also allowed to do a video recording throughout the inoculation process.

However, Noor Azmi said, parents would have to wait outside during the observation period to ensure that there is enough space to accommodate vaccine recipients.

The empty shot case came to public knowledge after a video purportedly showing the incident went viral on social media yesterday.

In an earlier statement today, Noor Azmi said that it was a result of "human error", and the teenager was immediately given a new dosage after the health worker involved realised her mistake. 

 - Mkini