4 Reasons Why Some Parents Choose Not to Vaccinate Their Kids

Malaysians are very lucky to have one of the best healthcare systems in the world that provide vaccines to children under the Malaysian National Immunization Program (NIP). In fact, the services and expertise provided by healthcare workers are also of high quality.

Parents only need to bring their children to the clinic or hospital to get vaccinated. 

Immunization is one of the ways which can help protect your children from contracting dangerous diseases. So that’s why as a parent, you are advised to consult your doctor about it.

Benefits of Immunization

Vaccines contain a weak or inactive part of certain organisms (antigens) that trigger an immune response in the body. Newer vaccines contain a blueprint for producing antigens.

Regardless of whether the vaccine consists of the antigen itself or a plan of action so that the body will produce the antigen, this weak version will not cause disease in people receiving the vaccine, but it will push their immune system to react as much as possible and will have a reaction similar when it is first exposed to the actual pathogen¹.

Why Do Parents Need to Vaccinate Their Children During the Early Days?

It is common knowledge that every individual’s immune system is unique, so it is every parent’s responsibility to help protect their children from the very beginning.

Vaccines for babies are important because babies have weak immune systems². By giving vaccines to babies according to a set schedule, you can protect your baby from deadly diseases such as³:

• Tuberculosis (TB) – Can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis and can continue to spread to other organs. 
• Diphtheria – Toxins released by bacteria may lead to blocked airways⁴.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – Can cause whooping cough and lack of oxygen to the brain⁵.
• Tetanus – Bacterial poisoning that causes cramps in the muscles of the body and affects the ability to open the jaw (braces).
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – This bacterium can cause infections of the lungs (pneumonia), respiratory tract and meningitis.
• Hepatitis B – This virus can cause severe damage to the liver and increases the risk of the individual getting liver cancer in the future.
• Polio – This virus can cause paralysis and even death.
• Measles – This virus can cause fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, infections of the brain (encephalitis) and lungs (pneumonia)⁶.
• Mumps – This virus can cause viral meningitis and infection of testicles (orchitis)⁷.
• Rubella – The rubella virus can spread among humans, pregnant women, especially during the first three months of pregnancy and can cause miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth or birth defects (congenital rubella syndrome)⁸.
• Pneumococcus – This bacteria can cause severe diseases like meningitis or milder infections like sinusitis or ear infections.
• Rotavirus – This virus can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
• Human Papillomavirus – This virus can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
• Varicella (Chickenpox) – This virus can cause a blister-like rash and fever, which can also cause shingles later as adults if the virus reactivates⁹.
• Influenza  – This virus can cause epidemics of flu diseases or flu season¹⁰
• Meningococcal – This bacteria can cause deadly infections of the lining of the brain, spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream¹¹. 
• Hepatitis A – This virus can cause short-term infection of the liver¹².

Nevertheless, there are still a handful of groups in society (parents) who choose not to vaccinate their children.

There are several reasons and factors why some parents have decided so. Let’s find out some of the common concerns and beliefs of those who do not wish to vaccinate their children.

4 Reasons Why Some Parents Don’t Get Their Children Vaccinated

#1: Childhood Vaccines Contain Contaminant

Speaking of contents, these vaccines are in fact formulated with water and parts of certain bacteria or viruses.

There are also a number of other additives such as mercury and aluminium that are intended to preserve and help increase its effectiveness¹³.

But, don’t worry. These additives do not accumulate in the child’s body and the amount is actually very small.

Honestly, the sugar and salt content in the food that your children consume daily is actually more worth your worries compared to this. 

#2: Child Vaccines Are Not Halal Because Some Ingredients Derived From Pigs

The rule of law in any religion shouldn’t be blindly taken from casual coffee shop discussions or social sites. These laws should be guided and verified by the religious council. 

The Mufti of the Federal Territories, SS Datuk Dr Zulkifli bin Mohamad Al-Bakri has answered this particular question through the Federal Territories Mufti’s Office’s official website. 

According to him, vaccines are a necessity in society. Some vaccines contain prohibited contents or are najis (impure) originally but have been treated with chemicals that change the name and characteristics of it through the process of istihalah (the process of changing to the permissible) and have beneficial effects¹⁴. Hence making the vaccine halal to be used. 

#3: “My Child Is Healthy, Why Should I Vaccinate My Child?”

Vaccines help to prevent diseases². Treatment is the action that you take after contracting an illness.

Why is disease prevention important?

Some diseases are very difficult to treat. For example, treatment for TB is often lengthy and not always successful. There are also diseases that are difficult to diagnose until complications occur, such as hepatitis B³.

Therefore, prevention is one of the best ways to deal with this disease. In fact, it also helps save you a lot of money. You won’t need to be warded and spend on medications and other treatment costs3.

#4: Child Vaccines Are A Parent’s Right

You have your rights as parents, and so do your children and all other people around you. Everyone has the right to be free from diseases. If more than 95% of the population is vaccinated, the probability of infection is very low¹⁵.

There are people that cannot take vaccines due to certain health problems such as a weakened immune system. These high-risk groups of people can be protected if more people take the vaccine². 

The Benefits and Importance of Vaccines That Parents Need to Know

According to a WHO report, vaccination has greatly reduced the implications of infectious diseases¹⁶.

However, there is no doubt that vaccine safety is getting more public attention compared to its effectiveness. 

Modern research and technology have aided researchers with the development of less reactogenic vaccines, such as acellular pertussis vaccine and rabies vaccine produced in cell culture¹⁶. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), immunisation shots are one of the important ways to help protect a baby’s health. Immunisation can help prevent more than a dozen serious diseases. Failure to vaccinate may mean putting children at risk for serious and sometimes fatal illnesses¹⁷.

Babies are particularly vulnerable to infections, which is why it is so important to protect them with immunizations. Immunizations help prevent the spread of disease and help protect infants and children from dangerous complications¹⁷.

The CDC also provides a list of diseases that can be prevented with vaccines, for example, chickenpox, rotavirus, pneumococcal, Pertussis, measles and many more¹⁸.

Vaccines Can Control Complications¹⁶

A vaccine is effective in helping protect an individual if it is given prior to exposure. It works by imitating an infection which helps teach our immune system how to fight off future infections¹⁹.

Presently, post-marketing studies have confirmed the high effectiveness of infant vaccination against Hib infection in Germany and pertussis in Sweden.

Hepatitis A vaccine has been shown to be effective against symptomatic disease and asymptomatic infection.

So parents, do think about what’s best for your children’s health and safety, okay?

In conclusion, parents are responsible for the health and well-being of their children, and this includes good nutrition, good hygiene practices and getting them vaccinated against dangerous diseases.

We hope this article is helpful to all parents out there. 

MY-ROT-00221 Jul/2022

References:

1. World Health Organization (WHO). How do vaccines work. Available From https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work?adgroupsurvey={adgroupsurvey}&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmuiTBhDoARIsAPiv6L-HjGLP56i_UwYdxde45nP-FBppShlTPd7LH5LUydJwNdYd5cHDC20aAjOzEALw_wcB. Last Accessed 12 May 2022.
2. MyHealth. Immunisation: Facts and Myths. Available From: https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/immunisation-facts-myths/. Last Accessed 02 Jun 2022.
3. UNICEF. Vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Available From: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/vaccines-and-diseases-they-prevent. Last Accessed 01 June 2022.
4. Mayo Clinic. Diphtheria. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diphtheria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351897. Last Accessed 10 June 2022.
5. National Health Services (NHS). Whooping cough. Available From: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/whooping-cough. Last Accessed 10 June 2022.
6. Mayo Clinic. Measles. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857. Last accessed 09 June 2022.
7. National Health Services (NHS). Mumps – Complications. Available From: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mumps/complications/.  Last accessed 09 June 2022. 
8. World Health Organization (WHO). Rubella. Available From: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rubella. Last accessed 09 June 2022. 
9. MyHEALTH. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/chickenpox/. Last Accessed 01 June 2022.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Types of Influenza Viruses. Available From: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm. Last Accessed 17 June 2022.
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal Disease. Available From: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html. Last Accessed 17 June 2022.
12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What is Hepatitis A. Available From: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm#overview. Last Accessed 17 June 2022.
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What’s in Vaccines? Available From:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm. Last Accessed 12 May 2022.
14. Mufti of Federal Territory Office. Bayan Linnas Series 59: Vaccine: According to Fiqh and Maqasid Syariah. Available From: https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/perkhidmatan/artikel-soal-jawab/1163-bayan-linnas-series-59-vaccine-according-to-fiqh-and-maqasid-syariah. Last Accessed 15 Jun 2022.
15. World Health Organization (WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Herd immunity, lockdowns and COVID-19. Available From: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/herd-immunity-lockdowns-and-covid-19.  Last Accessed 12 May 2022.
16. Andre FE, Booy R, Bock HL, Clemens J, Datta SK, John TJ, Lee BW, Lolekha S, Prltola H, Ruff TA, Santosham M, Schmitt HJ. Vaccination greatly reduces disease, disability, death and inequity worldwide. Bull World Health Organ [Internet]. 2008;86(2). 
17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Answers to Your Most Common Questions about Childhood Vaccines. Available From:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/FAQs.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fvaccines%2Fparents%2Fparent-questions.html. Last Accessed 19 June 2022.
18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccines by Disease. Available From:   https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-diseases.html. Last Accessed 10 June 2022.
19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Understanding How Vaccines Work. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/understanding-vacc-work.html. Last Accessed 01 June 2022.