VACCINES produced in the country are halal and people must stop spreading false information on the matter as it will only harm children, said Mujahid Yusof Rawa following the death of a toddler.

The minister in charge of Islamic affairs assured that vaccines produced in the country are halal and vaccination is not forbidden by Islam.

He said federal territories mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al Bakri had cleared the air on the subject through a fatwa.

“We are clear on this issue. The cabinet has talked about this and we have referred to the statement made by mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al Bakri, who says that it is safe and every child must be vaccinated.

“Vaccines produced in this country are halal, not haram, and have been approved. Those who are saying that vaccination is not safe should stop as it will only harm children as they grow up,” Mujahid told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year event organised by the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association in Subang Jaya.

It was reported yesterday that a 25-month old boy died to what is believed to be a diphtheria infection.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the child was never given any immunisation since birth and had begun to develop a fever, cough, and swollen tonsils on February 16.

He said the boy was brought to a hospital emergency unit on February 18 in poor condition and was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for respiratory assistance and given an antitoxin injection.

Dr Noor Hisham said diphtheria is caused by a corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterial infection, which affects the mucous membranes of the throat, causing the tonsils to swell. This may further lead to bacteremia complications (blood infections), endocarditis (heart infection), and organ failure, which in turn can be fatal.

According to him, last year saw 18 cases with five deaths, involving children below 10, reported in the country. In four of the five fatalities, the victims were not given immunisation. – February 24, 2019.