With the first phase of vaccination set to begin on January 16, healthcare experts have cautioned that frontline workers have every right to know the efficacy of vaccines, given emergency use approval, and that participation in the vaccination drive cannot be tagged as ‘voluntary’, with consent being must. mid-day reported on January 11 about the concerns of frontline medical professionals, whose names were registered for the vaccine programme without their consent. 

We must understand that the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given EUA for Covishield of Serum Institute of India and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech. Neither vaccine is registered or licensed for unrestricted mass usage. Hence, it is necessary to have ‘informed consent’ of prospective recipients — whether healthcare workers or senior citizens. This is in the interest of the vaccine delivery personnel and supplier — so that it is clear that the individuals know that this is not a regular rollout and that the person accepts any risk and any level of vaccine efficacy,” explained virologist Dr Jacob John.