One of the greatest medical achievements in modern civilisation is vaccination. Infective disease which was common less than a generation ago has become rare. Thanks to vaccination. Countries around the world invest heavily in vaccination programme. These vaccines minimise the risk of a child contracting the disease as the child develops immunity against the particular disease.  Vaccination can protect the child against many dreadful diseases, such as diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, polio and tetanus.

Furthermore once most of the children are vaccinated, herd immunity is created. This form of herd immunity protects the whole society from similar disease.

Thus, vaccination does not only protect individual child and helps to develop immunity, but also protects the whole community against potential outbreaks. Millions of children are saved every year.

Thanks to vaccines. Unfortunately the recently a strong anti-vaccine movements have emerged both internationally and locally. Parents are refusing to vaccinate their children for various invalid reasons including religious and personal right to choose what is best for their children.

These are misinformed group who get their information from misleading and invalidated sources which are often not evidence based. These parents may not be aware that every new vaccines are studied thoroughly before licenced for use on humans. On going quality control processes are in place too to ensure safety. Vaccine refusal is real and growing. Doctors must make every opportunity to educate the public of the importance of vaccine.

Engage with them professionally. I hope the deaths of these unfortunate children will be a wake up call for parents. They must realise the importance of vaccinating their children as scheduled against vaccine preventable diseases. Let us not see any more children dying of such diseases. My advice to parents who have missed vaccinating their children; it is still not too late. Take your children promptly to the nearest health clinic or your private doctors and they will advise you on "catch up immunisation” to give your child the missed vaccinations. Vaccination can save your child’s life and others whom you care for. Vaccination is safe and effective. Vaccination protects future generations.

* Dr N.Thiyagar is the president of the Malaysian Paediatric Association

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.