ALOR STAR, July 14 — All nurseries registered with the Social Welfare Department have been urged to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated.
Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said such effort could help reduce the risk of being infected with diseases such as diphtheria that could be fatal if the children were not vaccinated.
She said although vaccinations were currently not mandatory, the ministry was always aware of the importance of immunisation and would continue to create awareness and educate parents on the matter.
“We cannot force parents to vaccinate their children because it is their right but they have to be aware of the importance of vaccination, which can prevent their children from getting infected with deadly diseases,” she told Bernama after officiating at a Community-Based Enterprise programme, here, today.
As of June 29, the Health Ministry recorded five deaths out of 13 confirmed diphtheria cases nationwide.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Hilmi Yahya mentioned the emergence of one too many ‘Dr Google’ as among the cause for the recent vaccine commotion in the country. — Bernama
