KUALA LUMPUR: A petition calling for the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) to be made mandatory has garnered over 81,982 signatures as of 5.30pm.
The petition on change.org was initiated by Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (M3) on Monday and addressed to the Malaysian government, the Health Ministry and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
It is aimed at gathering public support following the increase in the prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria in the country.
“We welcome the suggestion by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and call on the government to immediately draft a new or existing Act to make NIP mandatory towards a healthier and more prosperous Malaysia,” the petition read.
The petition is looking to hit a target of 150,000 signatures.
Dr Dzulkefly had previously said the ministry would present proposals and policies for immunisation vaccines to be made compulsory.
Following the proposal, health advocates went a step further to suggest that children who are not vaccinated be barred from schools.
Malaysian Islamic Doctors Association (Perdim) president, Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail said it was about time immunisation vaccine is made compulsory before children start schooling, as they are at risk from deadly diseases.
Meanwhile, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad when contacted also lauded the suggestion and said it is important for every child to be given immunisation to protect them from diseases
“Not everyone has a strong immune system to fight diseases; hence immunisation will help reduce the spread of diseases,” she said.
Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said parents should make an educated and informed decision on the health of their children.
“Most of the naysayers rely on the herd mentality rather than making an objective decision. Unfortunately some parents do not realise that their ill informed decision can endanger not only their child but other children too,” she said.
Currently, it is not compulsory or mandatory for children to be vaccinated before admission to school and it is up to the school to conduct further examination or verification.
Many countries have laws and policies to ensure that vaccination is mandatory to protect children from life-threatening diseases.
For example; in Australia, it was reported that parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will lose AUD28 from their tax benefits for each unvaccinated children under the country’s ‘No Jab, No Pay’ policy.
In the United States, all 50 states there require children to be vaccinated before they attend school, but the types of vaccines required vary from state to state.