GEORGE TOWN: The number of parents refusing vaccinations for their children is expected to increase this year.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said in the first three months of this year, around 500 parents had refused vaccinations for their kids.
He said about 1,500 parents had refused vaccinations the whole of last year.
"We at the ministry, are doing all we can to educate these parents to accept vaccinations," he said during a Hari Raya aid presentation here this morning.
Dr Hilmi also assured that tests conducted on the vaccines showed all were safe for use.
"The issue of non-halal status do not arise," he added.
To date, the country has reported two deaths due to diphtheria in Malacca and Kedah, where both victims, aged 2 and 7, did not receive the complete diphtheria immunisation.