Everything You Need To Know About Immunisation For Your Child In Malaysia

Since the world was hit by the pandemic, there has been a larger emphasis by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to introduce more precautionary measures by updating the immunisation schedule for the protection of young children. 

In December 2020, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah announced that the Pneumococcal vaccine has become available to all newborn babies at MOH Health Clinics throughout Malaysia and was included into the National Immunisation Programme (NIP)¹.

Children born on 1 January 2020 onwards who are aged 5 months or more are eligible to receive the vaccine under the updated NIP. 

Dr Noor Hisham explained that pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is given to prevent various diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcal bacterial infections that can result in^1,2:

• Inflammatory disease (pneumonia)
• Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• Middle ear infection (otitis media)
• Inflammation of the meninges
• Spinal cord (meningitis)
• Bacterial infection in the blood (septicemia)

Besides the addition of this vaccine to the list, there are many other vaccines included in the NIP that are made available to all parents for free at government clinics. 

Which Vaccines Are Included in the National Immunisation Programme³? 

Table adapted from Info Sihat, Ministry of Health Malaysia 2021

There are many vaccines covered in the NIP, so parents can make an appointment at the nearest government health facilities to get their children immunised according to the schedule.

It is important for parents to consider vaccinating their children according to the NIP to help protect them from contracting these contagious and dangerous diseases. 

17 Dangerous Diseases That Can Be Avoided By Getting Your Kids Vaccinated

Vaccines are especially important to babies because their immune systems are developing from the time they are born.

Therefore, by giving vaccines to babies according to a set schedule, you can protect your baby from potentially fatal diseases⁴. For example:

• Tuberculosis (TB) - This disease can cause serious infections such as meningitis and spread to other organs⁵. 
• Diphtheria - Toxins released by bacteria may lead to blocked airways⁶.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) - Can cause whooping cough and lack of oxygen to the brain⁷.
• Tetanus - Bacterial poisoning that can cause cramps in the muscles of the body and affects the ability to open the jaw⁸.
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) - This bacterium can cause infections of the lungs (pneumonia), respiratory tract and meningitis⁴.
• Hepatitis B - This virus can cause severe damage to the liver and increases the risk of the individual getting liver cancer in the future⁴.
• Polio - This virus can cause paralysis and even death⁴.
• Measles - This virus can cause fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, infections of the brain (encephalitis) and lungs (pneumonia)⁹.
• Mumps - This virus can cause viral meningitis and infection of testicles (orchitis)¹⁰.
• Rubella - The virus can cause fever, rash, nausea and mild conjunctivitis¹¹.
• Pneumococcus - This bacteria can cause severe diseases like meningitis or milder infections like sinusitis or ear infections⁴.
• Rotavirus - This virus can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration⁴.
• Human Papillomavirus - This virus can cause cervical cancer and genital warts⁴.
• Varicella (Chickenpox) - This virus can cause a blister like rash and fever, which can also cause shingles later as adults if the virus reactivates¹².
• Influenza  - This virus can cause epidemics of flu diseases or flu season¹³.
• Meningococcal - This bacteria can cause deadly infections of the lining of the brain, spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream¹⁴. 
• Hepatitis A - This virus can cause short term infection of the liver¹⁵.

Covering All Bases To Help Protect Your Kids 

Raising children is a huge responsibility. It can be hard to remember all of the things your child needs to stay safe and healthy.

Besides vaccinating your kids, you can also teach them good eating habits and basic health and hygiene practices. For example:

• Washing their hands every time they use the toilet, after they blow their nose, before they eat or whenever they come home from school/outside.
• Do not share food and drinks, clothes, combs, toothbrushes or other personal items with other children.
• Close their mouth when they cough or sneeze, and to wear a mask whenever they are unwell.
• Sanitise their hands whenever possible.
• Limit physical contact with other children. 

All Vaccines Are Well-Tolerated In Malaysia

If you are worried about the safety of vaccines in Malaysia, you need not worry. All vaccines listed in the Malaysian National Immunisation Programme (NIP) have been recommended by the National Fatwa Committee Council¹⁶.

 In fact, MOH experts also certify that the vaccines in the NIP are effective and have tolerable safety profiles for use by children. 

 Moreover, the vaccines are also rigorously tested on thousands of people through large-scale clinical studies and closely monitored before being marketed commercially to ensure the safety of its recipients¹⁷. 

So parents do not have to excessively worry about this aspect. If you have any concerns regarding the safety profile of any vaccine, please speak to your doctor.

To find out more about getting your child protected against diseases and keeping them at optimal health, speak to your healthcare provider like the family doctor or paediatrician at your next visit!

MY-ROT-00234 Aug/2022

REFERENCES

1. From the Desk of the Director-General of Health Malaysia. Kenyataan Akhbar KPK 24 November 2020 – Pelaksanaan pemberian Vaksin Pneumokokal di Bawah program Imunisasi Kebangsaan Untuk Kanak-Kanak. Available From: https://kpkesihatan.com/2020/11/24/kenyataan-akhbar-kpk-24-november-2020-pelaksanaan-pemberian-vaksin-pneumokokal-di-bawah-program-imunisasi-kebangsaan-untuk-kanak-kanak/. Last Accessed 22 August 2022. 
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine information statement. Available From: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/pcv.html. Last Accessed 22 August 2022. 
3. Bahagian Pendidikan Kesihatan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Jadual Imunisasi Kebangsaan Terkini. Available From: https://www.infosihat.gov.my/penerbitan-multimedia/garis-panduan/item/jadual-imunisasi-kebangsaan-terkini.html. Last Accessed 22 August 2022. 
4. UNICEF. Vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Available From: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/vaccines-and-diseases-they-prevent. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.
5. Mayo Clinic. Tuberculosis. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250. Last Accessed 20 August 2022. 
6. Mayo Clinic. Diphtheria. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diphtheria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351897. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.
7. National Health Service Inform. Whooping cough. Available From: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/whooping-cough. Last Accessed 24 August 2022. 
8. Mayo Clinic. Tetanus. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tetanus/symptoms-causes/syc-20351625. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.  
9. Mayo Clinic. Measles. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.
10. National Health Services. Mumps - Complications. Available From: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mumps/complications/. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.
11. World Health Organization. Rubella. Available From: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rubella. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.
12. PORTAL MyHEALTH. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/chickenpox/.   Last Accessed 20 August 2022.   
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of Influenza Viruses. Available From https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm. Last Accessed 21 August 2022. 
14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease. Available From: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.  
15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is hepatitis A - FAQ. Available From: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm#overview. Last Accessed 22 August 2022.   
16. Huda E. Zainudin EN, Mohammad KA, Aris A, Shahdan IA. Vaccination: Influencing factors and view from an Islamic perspective. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia. 2018;17(2).
17. World Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization: What is vaccination?. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-what-is-vaccination. Last Accessed 19 August 2022.