The Delhi High Court made it clear to the AAP government Tuesday that the risks of administering measles and rubella vaccine have to be indicated in its advertisements on the vaccination drive to be held in schools, and said express consent of the parent is necessary to vaccinate a child.

“Contraindications are necessary for consent, whether positive or negative. You have to tell people about the risks,” Justice Vibhu Bakhru said, adding that the “consent has to be express” and not opt-out.

The observations by the court came after the Delhi government, represented by standing counsel Ramesh Singh, said there was no need to indicate contraindications or risks of the vaccine as it could discourage people and added that it would be administered to children unless parents state in writing that they are opting out.

The Delhi government’s submissions were made in a proposed draft order placed before the court which was hearing pleas on behalf of parents challenging the Directorate of Education’s December 12, 2018 notification which said that express consent was not required to administer the vaccine.