Protect children from Covid-19, health DG tells parents

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah is urging parents to take proactive measures to protect their children from Covid-19 following an increase in the number of cases involving this group, especially infants under the age of one and children below five years old.

He said parents with babies and children under five years old should carry out their responsibilities by staying at home and not bringing their children to risky places.

He said these places include supermarkets, public markets and other crowded places, adding that parents are advised to make online purchases for their daily necessities.

“All parties, especially parents, are urged to take care of the safety and health of these children as they are still young and their immune systems are immature.

“Therefore, they are more likely to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This group is also not included in the age group that is eligible to receive vaccination through the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme,” he said in a statement.

Noor Hisham said parents and members of surrounding communities should also register for vaccination to create a safer environment for children and protect them from Covid-19 infection.

He also advised parents to monitor their children’s movements and ensure that they stay at home and do not go out to meet friends or visit neighbours.

He said children should be advised to always wear face masks and practise proper personal hygiene if they have to leave the house for unavoidable matters such as going to the hospital or clinic.

On Monday, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said a total of 82,341 children and infants in Malaysia had been diagnosed with Covid-19 so far.