Vaccine recipients in Kandy asked to sign form before first Sputnik V dose

• Health Ministry unaware of the incident
• The form says ‘I wish to take only the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine’

 By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The incident in which a consent form was issued to people at a vaccination centre in Kundasale, Kandy with an undertaking therein says ‘I wish to take only the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine’, has taken place without the knowledge of the Health Ministry, the Ministry said. 

Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said the Health Ministry did not give such directions to obtain signatures before the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine was administered.  
“We have not been informed of such an incident as yet. Therefore, steps would be taken to announce any developments of this incident soon,” Dr. Herath said.  

These forms were distributed to people who came to the vaccination centre to get their vaccines yesterday and the individuals concerned have admitted that they too were given such forms and told the solitary dose would give sufficient protection.  

Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers’ Association pointed out that it had recommended to administer both the doses of the Sputnik V vaccine.  

“The Sputnik V vaccines, which the Government has procured are required to have both doses,” GMOA media spokesman Dr. Samantha Ananda said.  
A picture of a so called consent form is being currently circulated in Social Media.