Compulsory vaccination: govt studying age target, vaccine type

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is looking into the feasibility of making compulsory immunisation on babies and children in the country  by taking into account the suitable age target and type of vaccine required.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said it was among matters discussed by a task force that was set up to study its implementation and related implications, prior to a proposal paper submitted to the cabinet.

“The ministry is in the process of getting the views of all quarters, including government and private agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and related-associations as inputs in the proposal paper,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said this in response to a question by Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) on the ministry’s stand for compulsory immunisation on children following the increase in diphtheria cases in Johor.

Other matters being looked into are on the responsibility of parents, child care centres and schools, immunisation service providers, exemption, service fee, penalty and enforcement.

Dr Dzulkefly said various programmes and advocacy activities had been carried out at all levels to address doubts and rejection of the vaccination by some members of the society, including working with the NGOs, the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) and the State Mufti office to correct the people’s perception on the matter.

To a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (BN-Tenggara) on the supply of vaccine at government and private hospitals, Dr Dzulkefly gave the assurance that there was sufficient supply.

-- BERNAMA