KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Lisa Surihani has spoken out on the anti-vaccination movement, saying that it’s a cause for concern and hopes to communicate with anti-vaxxers on the importance of vaccination in a healthy manner.
“I vaccinate my kids. For me, the reason why I vaccinate my kids is for them to be more protected,” she told reporters during a United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) event today.
Lisa said she believed that the microorganisms such as germs, bacteria and viruses could evolve and become stronger, which is why she believed in an extra layer of protection was vital.
In regards to the growing anti-vaccine movement and numbers of unvaccinated children in Malaysia, she found the matter concerning and really bothered her.
“We need to sit down and think of the right method in sharing information to help them (anti-vaxxers) on why it’s important to vaccinate children.
“Rather than attacking them and telling them that they are wrong, we need to meet them and widen their perspective and knowledge about it.
“We need to tell them that we respect where they are coming from, but at the same time they have to understand why vaccinating kids are important. Speak to them without letting them feel defensive because they have their beliefs and principles that they are holding to,” she said.
The actress today renewed her role as Unicef’s National Ambassador for the next two years and pledged to be the voice of stateless children.
Lisa was also committed at supporting the Convention on Rights of the Child campaign which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
She will go on her first Unicef field trip to Rohingya Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on April 2 for three days.