Vaccination is serious business.
Parents who do not vaccinate their children can be jailed for a longer period of time once the amendment to the relevant law is gazetted and enforced.
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry told The Star Online that parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids will be charged with child neglect.
“If parents refuse to vaccinate their children and this results in the spread of infections and endangering the children’s lives, it can be considered as a form of child neglect,” the Ministry said in a statement cited by the news portal.
According to the Child Act (Amendment) 2015, which is reportedly in the process of being gazetted and enforced, those found guilty can be fined not more than RM50,000 and jailed 20 years or both – an increase from RM20,000 fine and 10 years jail or both according to the current Child Act 2001.
The amendment had reportedly been approved by the Dewan Rakyat on April 6 and Dewan Negara on May 4.
“The Bill is in the process of being gazetted and enforced to increase the penalty under Section 31,” it said in the statement.
The new ammendment came into the spotlight after the Health Ministry reported that 13 diphtheria cases have so far been confirmed, with a total of five fatalities.
