COVID-19 Vaccination Is Voluntary, Clarifies Union Health Ministry

New Delhi: Even as the Centre and states prepare for the national vaccination drive for COVID-19, the government has clarified that taking the vaccine is voluntary.

“Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers,” the Union ministry of health and family welfare has said.

The ministry recently released a document where it has replied to the public’s queries in form of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

“The government never said it was mandatory to take the vaccine shot… it is absolutely on voluntary basis even for the population group. However, the government is ensuring that whatever choice people make is informed, which is why a lot of effort is being directed towards awareness generation,” Hindustan Times quoted a senior Health ministry official as saying.