KUALA LUMPUR: The government aims to amend the law to make two of 12 scheduled vaccinations mandatory.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the idea to implement the two vaccinations for MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) and diptheria under the National Immunisation Programme was proposed by the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) to the ministry.
“Before we roll out these two vaccinations, there is a need for the government to amend the law to ensure that they are made mandatory in the country.
“Hence, we will table the matter in Parliament first. The tabling would not be carried out in the coming Parliamentary sitting or soon but maybe in the middle or end of this year.
“We are confident the d plans to make vaccinations for undocumented foreigners and stateless children in the country compulsory, Dzulkefly said they should get immunised.
He said the ministry would handle such cases as he believed the undocumented foreigners and stateless children who resided in this country were the ones who brought in the diseases.
“It would be a huge problem for our country if those bringing in the disease do not get immunised.
“They need to pay to get the treatment. But if they cannot afford to pay, we will have to bear the cost as we don’t want any outbreaks in the country,” he added.
Dzulkefly had previously said the ministry had also mobilised a taskforce to study all proposals in an effort to make immunisation compulsory for all children.