Government has reiterated that the Covid-19 vaccine currently being administered in the country is not mandatory.

The echo follows revelations that some employers in the country are forcing their employees to get the jab as one way of securing their job.

But speaking during the daily Covid-19 update, Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda said much as government wishes to vaccinate most eligible people across the country, the vaccine is not mandatory.

“As a country we already stressed that the Coronavirus vaccine is not mandatory, but we just Malawians to appreciate the benefits of this jab.

“Research shows that when one gets inoculated, there are high chance of not getting ill to the extent of getting worse as compared to someone who hasn’t been vaccinated, nonetheless as government we are not forcing people to get the vaccine,” said Chiponda.

He reminded Malawians not to keep their guard down but continue complying with the set Covid-19 precautionary measures as the country still has active coronavirus cases.

“Amongst us we still have 730 active cases and that is why we are urging you all Malawians that we need to take caution that we have to continue wearing masks because you never know the next person you meet that may be in the 730.

“Facts and research have proven that those who have gotten the vaccine it improves the immune system tremendously that is why we urge all Malawians that we still have the vaccine, and I appeal to Malawians to get the vaccine,” she said.

Over 311, 751 people have been vaccinated to date across the country ever since the country commenced mass coronavirus immunisation campaign.