Kota Kinabalu: Awareness on the importance of completing vaccination schedule of children has been stepped up following three diphtheria related deaths in Sabah. As of July 4, there were 14 diphtheria cases and five deaths in the country, according to Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Four cases were recorded in Sabah (three deaths), seven in Kedah (one death) and three in Malacca (one death).
Unlike in Sabah, where the cases were sporadic, the cases in Kedah and Malacca involved children whose parents refused vaccination.
In Sabah, the inoculation schedule prepared by government hospital for children up to 18 months old comprises the Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) immunisation, Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, Haemophilus influenzae type B, mumps and rubella.
State Health Department director Dr Christina Rundi said there was unlikely to be any organised movement opposing vaccination programmes in Sabah.
"The cases here are sporadic and not considered an outbreak, but we are on alert following the deaths."
The state Health Department was alert when Amirul Jaafar, 4, of Kampung Mansiang, Menggatal, was diagnosed with diphtheria following his admission to Likas Women and Children's Hospital here. He died on June 27.
As of June 25, state health epidemiology officers recorded 115 measles and seven whooping cough cases.
They are vaccine-preventable diseases.
Meanwhile, Amirul's mum said it was not because she was against vaccination but delay in getting the job done.
Julina Nurnapsi's son Amirul Jaafar, died of bacterial infection that could have been prevented if his immunisation schedule was adhered to and completed.
Julina, 43, said she had taken Amirul, her fourth child, for a few vaccinations before she got too busy with work.
"I could not cope with things. I remember taking him to several injections, but I don't know what they were for ," she said.
The mother of five from Kampung Mansiang, Menggatal, said she regretted not finding time to adhere to the vaccination schedule.
Ignorance because of a lack of awareness about the importance of vaccination is among the main reasons for fatalities that could have been prevented by vaccination after birth.
Amirul was the first victim in Sabah and third in the country since last month to die of diphtheria.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose or even airway, causing complications such as inflammation of the heart, paralysis or kidney failure.
Julina said Amirul had fever for two days and later breathing difficulties before he was admitted to Likas Women and Children's Hospital here.
He died eight days later.
"When I was told that he had contracted diphtheria, I was shocked, especially when the doctors told me it infects children who are not immunised.
"I remember sending Amirul for injections at the health clinic until he was about 4 months old, but stopped because I started working to support the family."
Julina works as a kitchen helper at the Federal Special Task Force temporary detention centre for immigrants.
She said she was worried about her youngest son, Zarun, who was last vaccinated when he was 8 months old.
But, having gone through a series of tests, followed by visits by the health authorities after Amirul contracted diphtheria, Julina is more aware of the risks her family faces.
She said the workers quarters her family lives in is not in the best condition.
The closely-built homes, each the size of a badminton court, and poor sanitation could increase the chances of diphtheria spreading through coughing or sneezing.
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