The number of measles cases in the country has increased due to resistance from the anti-vaccine movement to rejectimmunisationfor fear the vaccine contains pig DNA.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said this was indicated by the increase in cases from 235 in 2014, to 1,402 cases last year.

He said this also affected Malaysia aspiration of achieving its goal of being measles free, in line with neighboring countries such as Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

"However, the Ministry of Health will not give up and continue to educate, and provide correct information and explanation on vaccines andimmunisationfor infants and children," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2016 NationalImmunisationWeek Celebration here, Saturday.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah launched the celebration themed "Protect Our Children, Protect Their World, GetImmunised'.

Dr Subramaniam said the rise in the rejection rateonvaccination was due to the many 'online doctors' who gave inaccurate information, influencing young mothers by saying the vaccine was non-halal and had undesirable side-effects, while promoting the use of traditional medicine which were deemed to be much safer.

The Measles vaccine is given to children in two doses (at nine and 12 months) under the NationalImmunisationSchedule.