PUTRAJAYA — The government has begun offering the Tdap vaccine — which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — free of charge to pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced on Thursday.
He said the vaccine is available at all Health Ministry primary healthcare facilities that provide maternal services across the country.
“The aim is to give early protection to newborns, who are vulnerable to whooping cough (pertussis) before they complete their full vaccination schedule,” he said during the national-level Immunisation Day celebration, as reported by Bernama.
Dr Dzulkefly noted that international studies have confirmed the Tdap vaccine is safe and effective for both mothers and babies. While the vaccine is not mandatory, the ministry strongly encourages pregnant women to receive it.
The initiative is part of the ministry’s broader lifelong immunisation strategy. Alongside this, the ministry also launched an influenza vaccination programme for senior citizens on February 18. This programme targets individuals aged 60 and above who have at least one chronic illness.
“As of Wednesday, a total of 97,355 senior citizens have received the influenza vaccine at our facilities,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
He stressed that Malaysia’s national immunisation policy is regularly reviewed based on scientific data and global health guidelines. All vaccines used in the country are evaluated by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and are continuously monitored for safety and effectiveness.
The minister also expressed concern about the spread of misinformation regarding vaccines, which he said is damaging public trust.
“There is rising concern over the spread of false information. This causes confusion, especially among parents,” he said. “I urge everyone to rely on verified sources. The decisions we make today will shape the health of future generations.”
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