By Davis Masapula
Zomba, Mana: Ministry of Health has clarified that the Covid-19 vaccine certificate is not mandatory hence no need for Malawians to panic.
In an interview on Tuesday, Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Adrian Chikumbe said the certificate has been introduced to help people who may be required to produce proof of vaccination in their respective endeavors.
Last week the Ministry issued a press statement requesting Malawians to register online for their vaccine certificate.
This caused public panic and outcry with some asking how rural communities would manage to access a website where they have to register for their certificate.
Chikumbe said: “We received a request from a lot of people to introduce the vaccine certificates because it is a requirement for some to be allowed to go to work and also a requirement for one to use when traveling outside. We were only responding to those queries but it is not mandatory.”
Chikumbe has so far defended safety of the certificate saying data in the system is more secure and authentic because its databank is at the Ministry only.
“The beauty about this is that once one uploads their information, he or she can access it anywhere else,” he said.
The system has already started working and the certificates are being issued digitally to individuals that are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
