KUALA LUMPUR: A need to establish a policy for compulsory vaccination is in the midst of being studied said Health Ministry Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the policy discussion which is taking place internally within the ministry and externally with other organisation and is aimed at ensuring all children are vaccinated in the future.
He adds that ministry is also not giving up efforts to create awareness and encourage parents to allow their children to be vaccinated as an early measure to prevent diseases.
“What is important is not the law but awareness and conviction of parents to know that their child's health and safety is vulnerable to disease risk if not vaccinated.
“Those taking it easy must be aware that their children would be easily susceptible to diseases.
"I know that it's not easy to come up with a program to make vaccination mandatory as there are parents who use various arguments and reasoning’s to reject it.
"We are discussing it at both internal and external levels of the ministry and with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as stakeholders on how to create a policy that ensures every child in the country receives immunisation vaccine," he said.
Dr Dzulkefly was speaking to reporters after attending the 26th plenary session of the The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO).
Dr Dzulkefly said the outcome of the discussions obtained by the ministry will be discussed at the ministerial level and if it gets the green light, it will in turn be tabled at the weekly cabinet meeting.
“I have already informed Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the matter needs to be discussed at the cabinet level but I am not sure when this will take place”, he said.
Touching on the CCFO, Dr Dzulkefly said Malaysia has been the host and chairman of the organisation for almost a decade.
“I believe that Codex Committee on Fats and Oils will continue to face challenges in establishing new standards for fats and oils” he said.
