BALIK PULAU: The Health Ministry will discuss with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) on the possibility of coming out with a new fatwa (edict) to make immunisation and vaccinations mandatory among Muslims.

Deputy Health Ministry Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said he would discuss with the ministry further before going to Jakim.

“We want Jakim to consult the National Fatwa Council to see whether an edict can be issued to make immunisation and vaccinations mandatory among Muslims.

“We will see how it goes…this will take some time,” he told reporters here today.

This comes in the wake of reports that parents, particularly Muslims, are rejecting immunisation and vaccinations for their children, citing doubts over the halal status.

The number of parents refusing vaccinations is expected to increase further this year.

To date, the country has reported two deaths due to diphtheria in Malacca and Kedah, where both victims, aged 2 and 7, did not receive the complete diphtheria immunisation.

-New Straits Times