Iran Health Ministry: Anti-Vaccination Promotion to Children Could Be Considered a Crime
The head of public relations at Iran’s Health Ministry, while sharply criticizing individuals who he said “fuel anti-vaccination movements,” stated that anti-vaccination statements could be considered a crime.
Kianosh Jahanpour’s response came after recent weeks saw a resurgence of statements against vaccination both in Iran and some other countries worldwide amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Without naming names but “referring to statements made by an Instagram activist,” Jahanpour said “individuals who may sometimes have personality or social disorders, or people with other motivations such as conflicts of interest or financial incentives, fuel anti-vaccination movements.”
He emphasized that “these acts are in a sense criminal and constitute a form of spreading falsehoods intended to disturb public opinion,” and the prosecutor general can pursue them.
However, no reports or news of trials against individuals or groups promoting anti-vaccination campaigns in Iran have been published to date.
In recent days, Iranian domestic media have also pointed to the emergence of campaigns against childhood vaccination. Although these efforts are not new and were common in the past.
Last June, Iran’s Health Ministry itself had warned that the prevalence of “certain false beliefs” or “opposition to vaccination under the guise of traditional medicine” could be dangerous.
A senior official at the ministry had even said some opposition is conducted under the name of Islamic medicine.
The head of public relations at Iran’s Health Ministry told ISNA on Sunday, “Even if parents do not vaccinate their children, it may be legally pursued through judicial authorities.”
Kianosh Jahanpour added: The spread and pandemic of the coronavirus virus should not prevent childhood vaccination.
Source: Radio Farda
