Compulsory vaccination for children: Violation of human rights?
Khan, N.J.M1, Ghazali, F2, Shukor, S.F.A3.
Immunisation protection includes vaccination programme that is very
crucial to prevent the spread of disease among children or those with
low immune systems. However, the cases of contagious diseases such
as measles have increased dramatically in many countries around
the world, including Malaysia. This may be partly due to the rise of
certain groups or movements that do not believe in the efficacy of the
vaccines. This paper outlined the scenario and existing framework
on the administration of the vaccines in Malaysia, with respect to
the practices of some countries namely the United State, Italy and Singapore on the implementation of the immunisation programme
to its community. Subsequently, this paper highlighted the issues
on compulsory vaccination on whether it violated the fundamental
liberties incorporated in the Federal Constitution. The researchers
adopted a doctrinal approach, whereby materials were compiled from
the Malaysian and other jurisdictions’ legislations, case laws, journal
articles, and databases. This paper is intended for policymakers as
well as the public to understand the possibility for implementing
compulsory vaccinations from a legal perspective.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia
Download this article (This article has been downloaded 54 time(s))