Sometimes, some government departments act suspiciously and make decisions in a way that makes citizens feel there is something wrong. I am talking here about the H1N1 vaccine issue, which the Ministry of Health has not handled correctly and failed to convince citizens and residents about the need to take it.
This has negatively reflected on the health of our society in general. The image of the minister of health giving the vaccination to his own daughter was, however, convincing but the effect has been minimal. However, there are vaccines — such as those for cholera, meningitis etc. — that have long been imposed on all members of the society, including male and female students.
Despite these vaccines not being internationally required, the Kingdom’s authorities impose them on wider society, especially during the Haj and Umrah seasons. I feel it is necessary to make the swine flu vaccination compulsory for everyone including workers and students.
Parents should be given a week to ensure their children have been vaccinated.
This is a serious move that should be taken by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Leaving the issue to hearsay and the media, which look for suspense and drama, is not acceptable, especially since it has been proven that the vaccine carries no serious side effects.
We request decision makers to make the swine flu vaccine compulsory, first on all male and female students, then on male and female employees, and then on wider society.
