FEBRUARY 6 — In light of the recent measles outbreak in the USA, allegedly spread from Disneyland, the APOSL Science Club encourages every Malaysian parent to insist on measles vaccination for themselves and their children. It is free for all new born babies in our country but for those who missed that chance, you can ask your trusted doctor about it.

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known to mankind. It is airborne and a “carrier” who is seemingly healthy can easily spread it while walking in public spaces such as shopping centres through coughing and sneezing. At Disneyland, 59 people contracted the disease. Before global immunisation, an estimated 2.6 million people died from measles a year.

There is no cure for measles but it is highly preventable through vaccination. Measles is more than just red spots on your body. While it is usually harmless, some patients could develop complications which could lead to subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) and even death. Children and the elderly are two groups of people most at risk.

The best defence against measles is prevention by way of immunisation through vaccination.

Immunisation has been proven safe for decades despite unproven allegations from the anti-vaccine movement. We request parents to be more informed about vaccination and not succumb to fear mondering by certain parties. Please listen to your doctor who approves of vaccination to protect your loved ones.

Read more here.

PS: Andrew Wakefield who started the controversy of linking MMR vaccines to autism was convicted of falsifying his research and has been barred from practising medicine.

* On behalf of the APOSL Science Club: Pepper Lim; Dr Chow Su Lin, paediatrician; Dr Kok Sen Wai, psychiatric MO; Dr Alistair Furze, Ph D life sciences; and Dr Norliana Khairuddin, senior lecturer, Universiti Malaya.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.