The number of parents refusing immunisation for their children concerned over the contents and "halal-ness" is rising, said Penang state executive councillor in-charge of health Dr Afif Bahardin.

The worries of some parents found on the internet extend to the fear that the vaccine is a "new world order or Zionist movement" for mass depopulation, he added.

NONE Afif ( left ) urged the Health Ministry at the federal level to take steps to address the concerns of parents over the issue.

He is not advocating a law to compel such parents, but is urging the ministry to go all out to highlight the benefits of immunisation or counsel those affected by the issue.

Although the increase has not reached an alarming rate yet, Afif stressed that such concerns are being raised and debated hotly in social media sites like blogs and more currently, Facebook .

"These group of parents are sharing articles on the evils of immunisation which are no longer valid or accepted by medical journals," he said.

He added that while there were no such cases yet in Penang, other states have seen the refusal of parents to allow their children to be vaccinated.

'Refusal letters can't kill responsibility'

"There are parents who have signed letters not giving permission for their children to be vaccinated," Afif said at a press conference today.

"It is not enough for parents to merely sign these refusal letters and bear the risk themselves to absolve them from the responsibility of vaccinating their children." he added.

He sought to dispel the fears of these parents, saying that immunisation is necessary to prevent epidemics and diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, pertussis, diphtheria and meningitis.

NONE "With more than 95 percent of children going through immunisation, we have managed to reduce the number contracting these diseases," he said.

"In Malaysia, only three out of 1,000 babies die due to such diseases, and this standard is at par with the United Kingdom."

Afif noted that the influx of foreigners and parent rejecting immunisation programme can result in epidemics.

"Underestimating the effect of the diseases, and at the same time overestimating the vaccine's side effects, is not an accurate philosophy," he added.

"There is a need to balance the risks and benefits of the matter."

Meanwhile, Afif said that the 24th Malaysian Islamic Affairs National Fatwa Council - which convened in 1989 - had discussed immunisation for measles, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

Okayed by Islamic Council

He added that under Islamic law, the council has decreed that it was better to reject diseases and that vaccines used must come from a halal source.

Afif, who is also state PKR Youth vice-chief, said he was concerned over the issue as he has a child who is about one year and three months old.

Zairil Khir Johari (3) Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari ( left ), who also has a young child, urged parents not to fall so easily for Internet rumours - especially on Facebook - about the issue.

"People are forwarding the materials not in favour of immunisation they read, but people must base their judgement on facts, especially when there are other sources which can disprove those reports," said Zairil at the same press briefing.

"People should not doubt the immunisation programme, or the government would not make it compulsory for us," he added.