Privacy concerns raised after more vaccine recipients get unsolicited texts

 

More women have come forward to say they received unsolicited text messages from personnel working at vaccine administration centres (PPV).

They raised concerns over how personal information like mobile phone numbers are stored under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).

In response, the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) said it has begun investigating the issue.

It also promised to take “appropriate action”.

This is not the first time such incidents have been reported.

Last month, a woman tweeted saying a PPV doctor who had consulted her on her vaccine jab later sent her unsolicited texts.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Health Ministry GLC's - ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd - for an update on their investigation into this June case.

Ayu Syazreen Azmin said she was scheduled for her vaccine jab at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam, Selangor on May 31.

When she showed up on the day to register, a man at the registration counter began asking her questions and making comments that were unrelated to Covid-19 vaccination.

“I then told him I was married,” the 22-year-old told Malaysiakini.

Ayu explained that she had lied about her marital status in an attempt to shut down his advances.

However, she was shocked when he messaged her personal mobile number later that day.

“Hopefully, they will do something,” she said, referring to the authorities.

Another woman tweeted that she was also contacted by the same man after her vaccine appointment at the IDCC PPV.

“Hello JKJAV, (the) same thing happened to be at IDCC Shah Alam.

“It is very unprofessional to steal my number through the data without my consent!

 “I hope disciplinary action will be taken too. No one should go through this,” she said.

Siblings express dismay

Twitter user Idris similarly urged JKJAV to act after his 18-year-old sister was contacted by a World Trade Centre (WTC) PPV personnel after her July 13 jab.

He expressed regret that his sister’s phone number was used without her consent.

“The authorities should know about this and punish violations of privacy.

“Women should not have to face these kinds of unwanted advances,” he tweeted.

Another person chimed in to say that their sister was also contacted by the same man from the WTC PPV.

“Same thing happened to my sister! It’s the same guy!

“Please take disciplinary action. He took advantage by escorting those who (were) lost, then (would) ask them to check (their phone) for their second dose of the vaccine and he gets their phone number,” the person tweeted.

The Twitter user later elaborated that the man had taken a photograph of their sister’s MySejahtera profile and suspected that was how he obtained her mobile phone number. - Mkini