KUCHING: Pregnant women are urged to get themselves inoculated to provide protection for both mother and child from severe symptoms attributed to the COVID-19 virus.
The various vaccines approved by the Malaysian Health Ministry (MOH) namely Pfizer, Sinovac and Astrazeneca are equally suitable to be administered on pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Former Deputy Director General of Health (Medical) in the MOH, Professor Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon said this was officially revised by the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Supply (JKJAV) on 25 June 2021.
“For pregnant women, it is advisable for them to get inoculated during Week 14 and Week 33 of their pregnancies,” he said in a phone interview.
Addressing the hesitancy of pregnant or breastfeeding women to get vaccinated, Dr Rohaizat attributed it to fake news and the anti-vaccine movement as viralled on the Internet.
“That is why the government and the mass media play an important part in delivering the most accurate information to counter the abundance of fake news accessible to the public,” he added.
Popular artist Siti Sarah, who passed away recently due to COVID-19 a day after giving birth, along with her husband and children had tested positive for COVID-19 since July 25 after undergoing screenings when their maid was confirmed positive.
She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday evening after having severe cough and experiencing low oxygen levels due to COVID-19 infection.
The singer was put to sleep through intubation last Friday to undergo a caesarian procedure to save her seven-month-old baby. The procedure was successful but unfortunately Siti Sarah did not make it.
She breathed her last at Tuanku Mukhriz Chancellor Hospital and was later laid to rest at Tanah Perkuburan Islam in Gombak at 1.45 pm.
Meanwhile, Dr Rohaizat also addressed concerns regarding the timeline for pregnant women to be vaccinated, whether with the anti-tetanus toxoid (ATT) injection first or the COVID-19 vaccine later, or vice versa.
“Some are very concerned about this due to safety reasons. But rest assured, it can be done simultaneously or at different times,” he added.
