IPOH: There are doctors in the country who are discouraging parents from vaccinating their children in favour of “oral homeopathy vaccines”.
Malaysian Paediatric Association president Dr N. Thiyagar, who revealed this, said yesterday he learned this from his patients in Kedah when he asked why their children had not been vaccinated.
He said the doctors had claimed that the oral homeopathy vaccine would prevent diseases caused by vaccines.
Dr Thiyagar rejected this diagnosis, saying there was even no such thing as a homeopathy vaccine.
“As for acting against such doctors, there is still insufficient proof as they were smart enough not to write down that the medications they prescribed were an alternative to vaccinations.
“They can claim that the medications were merely supplements.”
Dr Thiyagar said it was surprising that most parents who were against vaccinations were the educated lot, adding that doubt over the contents of vaccines was usually the main reason.
He urged such parents to visit the Immunise4 Life website for information and to find out about work done by the association in cooperation with the Health Ministry.
Consultant paediatrician and paediatric neurologist Dr Alex Khoo Peng Chuan said making vaccinations mandatory would probably not have the desired result.
“Would you haul all of them (errant parents) to court, and say that it is child abuse?” he asked.
Dr Khoo said it would be better if parents were given proper information on vaccination.
“For those who are vaccine-phobic, talk to a qualified paediatrician and clear your misconceptions and fears,” he added.
