Mass measles vaccination may not be wise move

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The Star, Malaysia
April 9, 2004

CAP: Mass measles vaccination may not be wise move

KUALA LUMPUR: The Consumers Association of Penang has urged the Health Ministry to conduct a proper evaluation before carrying out mass measles vaccination to immunise 4.5 million children nationwide. CAP president S.M. Mohd Idris claimed in a statement that the ministry had made the decision based merely on the fact that it expected an outbreak of the disease in 2005 or 2006.

He was commenting on a recent ministry announcement that it aimed to immunise children aged between seven and 15 against measles through its National Measles Immunisation Campaign.

The immunisation programme will be carried out in schools by a health team. Mohd Idris said the plan was to use a combination vaccine against three diseases, namely mumps, measles and rubella (German measles), or what is better known as MMR vaccine.

He said that studies overseas had shown that measles continued to occur even in children who had been fully vaccinated. Previously, he said, those who contacted measles were usually below the age of 10, but now, following years of vaccinations, more adults were being infected.

He also pointed out that soon after the measles vaccine was in use, a new problem arose where children were contracting a condition known as atypical measles, a more serious form of measles that may not respond to treatment. "Many children already receive a dose of MMR vaccine when they are around one year old, with a booster a few years later.

"The health authorities have informed one parent that, although her child has received her booster jab the year before, the vaccination under this programme is still necessary.

"Is there any guarantee that there will be no adverse effects on the child following these repeated jabs?"

Mohd Idris called on the Health Ministry to put the measles immunisation plan on hold pending a proper review, as "there is much evidence against the need for mass vaccinations as much as there is for them." - Bernama

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