Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has condemned the practice of using religion to spread misinformation on vaccines via social media postings.

This was after Facebook user 'Imam Muda Ammar' wrote a post questioning the importance of vaccination in preventing deaths from bacterial infections, particularly among children.

"...I didn't know the angel of death will not take the life of a vaccinated child.

"And I didn't know a vaccinated child will get an extra life. How lucky..." wrote Imam Muda Ammar.

This came after the reported death of a seven-year-old girl in Ujong Pasir, Malacca, on June 18 due to diphtheria - a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

Noor Hisham, in response, wrote on Facebook that irresponsible postings that ride on religion deviate from the true teachings of Islam.

"What a shameful act," he added in his post, which included a screengrab of Imam Muda Ammar's original statement.

In response to the latest outcry, he also shared a Health Ministry statement to dispel myths and concerns surrounding vaccination, which was first published in 2013.

Diphtheria can be prevented

Meanwhile, the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia also raised concerns over the renewed detection of diseases that had once been eradicated in Malaysia.

Citing diphtheria as an example, the group said there were at least 11 new cases detected - three confirmed and eight suspected - and two deaths.

"The cases reoccurred due to parents' reluctance to abide by the Health Ministry’s vaccination schedule.

"This reluctance factor is attributed to the public's misinformation due to information obtained from open sources such as social media, which is unverified," said the association in a statement.

Although it spreads easily from one person to another, diphtheria can be prevented through the use of vaccines.

In advanced stages, diphtheria can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system of an infected person.

The group also said the situation was caused by people who only listened to religious scholars with no medical background.

It urged the muftis and scholars to deliver the right facts about vaccines and refrain from raising false doubts.

"Any parties who are still confused on the role and importance of vaccines are recommended to consult doctors and experts in the field," it added.