One of the main causes of child morbidity or mortality is due to contagious diseases, especially vaccine-preventable diseases. Thus, getting immunisation is the most effective way to prevent all these deadly contagious diseases from harming our children. School immunisation services are one of the ways the government help in order to prevent these diseases.
However, in this situation of Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), the previously scheduled immunisation services that were held at schools can no longer be available for the children as schools are still closed.
The new school term has yet to been confirmed as well. Nonetheless, immunisation services for school children are still available at government health facilities, despite the closure of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some of the ongoing immunisations that are being given out right now are:
- Measles
- Rubella
- Diphtheria and Tetanus (Standard 1 students)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (Form 1 female students)
- ATT-extra Tetanus dose (Form 3 students)
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said priority would be given to Year One pupils, and immunisation can be done at the nearest Klinik Kesihatan, women and children health clinics and District Health offices.
“Therefore, parents and guardians with children in Year One are urged to bring them for immunisation after receiving the appointment schedule from the respective schools. To this end, the Health Ministry has sought cooperation with the Education Ministry to assist in coordinating notification to parents and guardians on this,” he said in a statement.
“The general public and parents, in particular, are urged to work together with the ministry and play their own roles in fighting against infectious diseases. Everyone’s continued support for the immunisation programme is vital for the health and future of school children as they are the country’s assets,” added Dr Noor Hisham.
Immunisation Schedule for National Immunisation Program, Ministry of Health Malaysia
Overall, even in this period of CMCO parents and guardians are urged to take the initiative to venture out for the sake of the children’s health. Parents are also encouraged to save the national immunisation schedule for future references as to be aware of all the immunisations that are being given for free for the children. Parent’s carelessness in this issue might cause future detrimental health issue to children and by then regrets will be useless as milk has been spilt.
Source: New Straits Times