Get vaccinated again, Dr Hilmi tells adults with diabetes, cancer

Health Ministry deputy minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya has urged Malaysian adults with health conditions like diabetes, cancer and hepatitis B to get vaccinated again in view of the recent diphtheria cases.

He said this is important as the vaccination given to babies will only last for six years.

He said a person’s antibody would slow down as they age and this is made worse when they suffer from illnesses like diabetes, cancer and hepatitis B.

“I want to advise those with medical conditions like diabetes, cancer and hepatitis B to be careful and go to the clinic for immunisation. Because these diseases can weaken our immune system.

“For adults, we cannot give the vaccination for free because the free vaccination is only given to each individual once in their lifetime,” he said.

He was commenting on the first case of adult diphtheria in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan yesterday where a 41-year-old housewife was given treatment after she had a fever and complained of swollen tonsils, raspy voice and difficulty in swallowing.

Laboratory tests confirmed she contracted diphtheria. She was transfered to the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital, Seremban where she is now in stable condition.