Wan Azizah backs Maszlee on letting non-vaccinated kids go to school

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has reaffirmed the government's stance that students who have yet to be vaccinated are allowed to go to school.

This, she said, was because vaccinations are not yet mandatory.

"When there is an infectious outbreak, schools will be closed.

"But infections due to not being vaccinated, that is something different," she told reporters in Putrajaya today.

She said this when asked to comment on Education Minister Maszlee Malik's remark yesterday that non-vaccinated children are not restricted from attending school.

Wan Azizah, however, stressed that parents should vaccinate their children to protect them from illnesses.

She said there are ongoing talks with the Health Ministry to plan to encourage parents to vaccinate their children.

"Don't entertain anecdotal problems linking vaccines to autism and what not.

"There is fact-based evidence that vaccinations prevent diseases," she added.

Maszlee yesterday said allowing non-vaccinated children into schools was in line with the government's policy to ensure children of all citizens are given access to education without discrimination.