FROM tomorrow, one parent or a guardian is allowed to accompany teenagers for their Covid-19 vaccination, Deputy Health Minister I Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said.

This follows a case where an empty syringe was used when administering a Covid-19 vaccine to a 12-year-old at the Universiti Malaya vaccination centre (PPVUM). The healthcare worker responsible has since been relieved of vaccination duties, Noor Azmi said.

The accompanying parent or guardian can follow the teenager to the temperature and symptoms check station as well as the subsequent stations where registration, consultation and finally, vaccine administration, are conducted.

“After the vaccine has been administered, the parent or guardian will have to wait outside while the child is monitored for 15 to 30 minutes of observation,” he said in a statement. 

“This is to ensure there are enough seats (at the observation station) for those who are vaccinated.”

Noor Azmi reiterated the ministry’s earlier position that video recording of the vaccination is allowed.

He also reminded health workers to be responsible and careful. He urged them to continue to follow standard operating procedures, which include showing the recipient the vaccine-filled syringe before the injection is given.

In the incident involving the empty syringe, Noor Azmi, who is also the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force-Adolescent chairman, said the health worker administering the vaccine was appointed under ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd.

The corporation has relieved the worker from duty at PPVUM.

The worker realised the mistake and informed the medical officer on duty at the centre. After discussing with the 12-year-old’s parents, another shot with the correct amount of vaccine was administered. – October 2, 2021.