Halal Vaccination Needed To Save Muslim Children Worldwide

After five deaths caused by diphtheria and 13 confirmed cases, the Health Ministry in Malaysia has decided that vaccinations must be made mandatory. Towards this end, consultations with Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is necessary because most parents refusing to vaccinate their children are Muslims who doubt the halal status of vaccines.

Even before the proposed consultations, however, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in Malaysia said that parents who choose not to vaccinate their children can be charged for child abuse under Section 31 of the Child Act and face a fine of not more than RM20,000 or a jail term not exceeding 10 years or both, which seems inadequate, given the effect of such irresponsible behaviour. For abuse it is indeed, one that is more than personal in its impact given the far-reaching consequences to society if an epidemic breaks out.

Of course, the Friday sermons are an appropriate avenue for disseminating information and the imam is well placed to dispel notions that non-halal substances are found in vaccines. Making it an obligation, or wajib, for parents to vaccinate their children is, after all, based on Islam’s emphasis on the sanctity of life.

Additionally, Jakim has the means to disprove this prejudice spread by social media. Establishing that vaccines are halal can only be good for everyone. In the event that a case can be made that vaccines contain non-halal elements, then the big pharmaceutical companies can correct the situation. The Muslim consumers society is not just a drop in the ocean but is an ocean in itself. What pharmaceutical company will not go the extra mile to ensure that their products are halal? Also, given the nature of the disease, which thrives in unhygienic situations, public education is necessary. In remote rural areas, the authorities must create awareness amongst parents and health caregivers, such as midwives, who must register every baby delivered and ensure post-natal services like vaccinations be administered. A more pro-active stance must be taken, like a visit by a healthcare officer to newborns, though registered, have yet to appear for the scheduled vaccinations.

Harsh laws must target those parents who are fashion junkies; those who subscribe to anti-vaccination campaigns based on half-baked notions of possible bad reactions. Research has shown that with the diphtheria vaccine, there is a one in four chance that the child might be adversely affected, but none of the known side effects are fatal. Contracting the disease though, can be fatal; for young children, it is one in five, and those below 10, one in 10.

For parents to then risk their children’s lives to a contagious disease when it can be easily prevented is just wrong, made worse when the reasons are far from genuine. Yes, vaccination long administered to infants, toddlers and young children should be made mandatory for its safety is well proven. Under these circumstances then, parents who refuse to safeguard their children must be prosecuted. For, until and unless the authorities act firmly, will the public toe the line. For the sake of the children, punish the abusive parents.

Originally published on www.nst.com.my