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Parents now more aware of vaccination against diphtheria

Posted on 24 September 2016

KUCHING: There has been no diphtheria case in Sarawak since 2012 as parents are aware of the vaccination against the infection, said Assistant
Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.

"It is hoped that this situation will continue. Acceptance of vaccination is high in our society and for that, I would like to congratulate
parents" said Dr Jerip in his speech when officiating at the closing ceremony of `Immunisation Forum: Facts and Controversies` at the 
State Library here.

However, he said from monitoring by the State Health Department, a handful of parent were found still skeptical about the vaccination and
refused to let their children to be vaccinated.

Dr Jerip said the efforts to educate and provide guidance to the public on current health issues were on going.

"This is because our society is very easily influenced by the `google doctor` as well as the foreign ideology and mentality which are not 
accurate regarding health.

"The usage of the social media such as Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter has become the medium by certain groups to spread wrong information,
especially on the immunisation," he said.

Dr Jerip pointed out that the main reason for immunisation was to protect the individual and give them immunity from infection.

"When people gather together and form a community, it will create an immunity as what we call as "Herd Immunity,`"

"If our Herd Immunity is high, it is difficult for diseases to infect our community, and those who do not receive the vaccination due to things
that cannot be avoided, would also be protected by the Herd Immunity," he explaine.

He also hoped the State Health Department would continue with the effort to promote the goodness and advantages of international immunisation program.

He advised the public not to be easily swayed by certain parties to reject the vaccination because infection would have adverse effect on
babies and the society as a whole.

When asked to comment on the bottled mineral water for breaching the chloroform parameter under the Table 25 of Food Regulations 1985, 
Dr Jerip said he could not comment on the matter as he had yet to receive any report on it.

The forum was organised by the State Health Department with the cooperation of the State Library to provide the right knowledge on 
epidemiology vaccine, preventable disease from the epidemiology angle, clinical presentation and complication, including prevention and control.

The forum also provided exposure on the facts and controversy in vaccination and the techniques to deal with those who refuse to have their 
children vaccinated.