PUTRAJAYA,
April 23 — The number of measles cases in the country has increased due to
resistance from the anti-vaccine movement to reject immunisation for fear the
vaccine contains pig DNA.
Health
Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said this was indicated by the increase
in cases from 235 in 2014, to 1,402 cases last year. He said this also affected
Malaysia aspiration of achieving its goal of being measles free, in line with
neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
“However,
the Ministry of Health will not give up and continue to educate, and provide
correct information and explanation on vaccines and immunisation for infants
and children,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2016 National
Immunisation Week Celebration here, today.
Raja
Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah launched the celebration themed “Protect
Our Children, Protect Their World, Get Immunised ‘.
Dr
Subramaniam said the the rise in the rejection rate on vaccination was due to
the many ‘online doctors’ who gave inaccurate information, influencing young
mothers by saying the vaccine was non-halal and had undesirable side-effects,
while promoting the use of traditional medicine which were deemed to be much
safer.
The
Measles vaccine is given to children in two doses (at nine and 12 months) under
the National Immunisation Schedule.
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