Health dept denies rumor linking vaccine forms to organ donation

The Centre for Health Protection has strongly denied online rumors claiming that seasonal influenza vaccination consent forms contain hidden clauses allowing personal health data to be used for organ donation matching or related research.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the health authority called the allegations "completely unfounded" and urged the public not to be misled.

The clarification addresses concerns about the 2025/26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes, which include four initiatives: Government Vaccination Programme, Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme, School Outreach Programme and Vaccination Subsidy Scheme.

The department explained that consent forms allow information sharing with private doctors, the Primary Healthcare Commission, Hospital Authority, government agents, and 15 healthcare-related statutory boards and committees. This enables prompt investigation of any rare adverse events following immunization.

The health department emphasized it "will never use the information for organ donation or research on donor-recipient matching." Both paper and electronic consent forms are typically destroyed within seven years, with no personal data retained by the department.

The centre encouraged annual flu vaccination for all individuals aged six months or above, noting it remains "one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications" based on scientific evidence.