Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has reminded parents of infants and young children to not delay their children’s vaccination even while the movement control order (MCO) is still being imposed.
According to Oriental Daily, he pointed out that delayed vaccination will increase the risk of infants and young children being exposed to diseases such as measles and polio, and it not stopped in time, it may be fatal.
“In view of this, the Ministry of Health should emphasize that all health facilities still provide vaccination services during the movement control order. Parents of infants and young children are urged to observe the appointment time with medical staff to vaccinate their children,” he said.
“Parents who have returned to their hometowns must make an appointment to vaccinate their children at a nearby health clinic or private clinic.”
“While we follow the Ministry of Health’s appeal and strive to cut off the new coronavirus infection chain, we must continue to vaccinate infants and young children to maintain a highly immunized population.”
Dr Noor Hisham also pointed out that although vaccination has proved to be one of the most successful and cost-effective ways to prevent diseases such as measles and polio, they have once again made a comeback in several countries including Malaysia.
27 years after polio disappeared, Malaysia recorded its first case in December 2019, and has since recorded four additional cases, all of which occurred in Sabah.
As for measles, the number of cases nationwide fell from 1,958 to 1,077 in 2018, but the number of deaths has increased with six in 2018 and 15 in 2019.
Dr Noor Hisham also noted that there were 18 diphtheria cases and six deaths in 2018, and 16 cases and six deaths in 2019.
Most of the above cases involve babies who have not been vaccinated or have not yet met the age threshold for vaccinations.
Also read: Warning: One More Polio Case In Sabah, KKM Reminds Parents To Vaccinate Their Children
