KUALA LUMPUR: Beginning next year, pregnant women in the country will receive the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis) vaccine.
The new initiative by the Health Ministry is aimed at preventing the spread of pertussis or whooping cough, especially among babies below five months old.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa in a statement said once it is implemented, all pregnant women, including non-citizens, will be given one dose of the Tdap vaccine during the second trimester or third pregnancy (between 13 and 36 weeks of pregnancy) for free at the ministry's premier health facilities nationwide.
She said the new initiative involves an annual allocation of RM25 million, covering an estimated 500,000 pregnant women across the country every year.
"The implementation is expected to begin in 2024 after the procurement of the Tdap vaccine has been completed and the supply is made available at the ministry's health facilities nationwide.
"More information will be announced from time to time."
Dr Zaliha said babies below five months old were the most at risk of contracting pertussis and developing complications such as pneumonia, encephalopathy and death.
"This is because their antibodies will reach the optimum protection stage when they have completed the three doses of pertussis vaccine administered under the National Immunisation Programme at five months old."
According to Dr Zaliha, as of Aug 23, 343 pertussis cases and 24 fatalities had been recorded in the country, with 173 cases (50.4 per cent) comprising babies under the age of five months.
As for fatalities, 19 cases comprised babies under five months old.
As such, Dr Zaliha said the Tdap vaccine for pregnant women will protect the baby, starting from the womb to birth and until they complete their three doses of pertussis vaccine at five months of age.
"This is through antibodies of the mother being transferred to the baby in the womb. Therefore, giving the Tdap vaccine to pregnant women can prevent infection of pertussis among babies below five months."