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THE Selangor state government has allocated RM1 million to provide free Influenza A vaccinations to 12,500 students across four districts identified as hotspots for infection, following the death of a young pupil and growing public health concerns.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that the vaccination programme will begin next week in Hulu Langat, Gombak, Klang, and Petaling — districts flagged for increased transmission of the virus, which poses a heightened risk to student health.
“The free Influenza A vaccination campaign will commence next week and will be led by the State Executive Councillor for Public Health, Jamaliah Jamaluddin,” said Amirudin in a statement on Friday.
This initiative comes after an eight-year-old student enrolled in the Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru, Klang, was confirmed to have died from Influenza A.
Klang Utara District Police Chief ACP S. Vijaya Rao confirmed the death and added that all members of the child’s household also tested positive for the virus.
The vaccination rollout was one of several urgent measures approved by the Selangor State Executive Council (MMKN) in response to a number of recent incidents, including the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, and a severe storm in Telok Panglima Garang earlier this week.
Speaking on the school stabbing, Amirudin said the event had caused deep trauma among students, especially those who witnessed the attack, and had led to a noticeable drop in attendance.
“To restore confidence among parents, teachers and students regarding school safety and to help the community heal from the trauma, the state government will hold a session with parents, educators, and pupils to honour the victim and rebuild trust,” he said.
Amirudin stressed that such a horrifying incident must never be allowed to repeat itself, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring schools remain safe spaces for children.
“There must be no room for such a tragedy to recur. Schools must return to being the safest place for our children,” he added. - October 17, 2025
