Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib told FMT it was worrying that more children appeared to be dying of preventable diseases like diphtheria.

“The children had no say in the decision-making. Yet parents choose to place their kids in harm’s way by refusing to vaccinate them, depriving them of immunity and protection, and making them vulnerable to possible infection.”

He said many such parents resorted to other “solutions” like alternative treatment, pseudoscience, prayer and even luck.

This in turn has led to a resurgence of diseases such as mumps and pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.

Azrul was responding to Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye’s statement that the ministry had no current plans to make vaccination mandatory, following the death of a 14-month-old girl due to diphtheria in Johor Bahru.

Azrul said in the first five months of 2018, the health ministry had recorded a 22% increase in measles compared to the same period last year, citing low immunisation coverage for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The MMR shot is given to infants at 12 months.

“In 2017, coverage dropped to 92%. We need coverage of more than 95% to provide herd immunity for measles,” he added.

He also criticised parents who refused to vaccinate their children, relying instead on the herd immunity of other children. He said such an act threatened the lives of their children and thousands of others, including adults.

“This is not an issue of choice or freedom of expression. We must prevent disease where we can. To that end, vaccination should be compulsory. Vaccination saves lives.”

Parent Action Group for Education secretary Tunku Munawirah Putra meanwhile said parents could not be forced to vaccinate their children.

However, she urged hospitals and schools to continue efforts to educate parents on the matter.

“Parents have the choice, and they must make an informed decision knowing the risks involved.”