All three vaccines safe for pregnant women, says Khairy
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ALTHOUGH the preferred vaccine choice for pregnant women will still be Pfizer-BioNTech, expectant women can still opt for the Sinovac and Astrazeneca vaccines, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“In those, areas especially rural areas where Pfizer-BioNTech is not available, we will then give them another available brand,” he said today at the start of the vaccination program for pregnant women at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
According to Khairy, pregnant women have been able to book appointments for vaccination since June 7. As of now 109,607 registrations have been made through MySejahtera.
The Ministry of Health had, before this statement, recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for pregnant women between weeks 14 and 33, adding that they should consult with their doctors before getting a jab.
He added that priority for pregnant women has been determined according to due date.
“Of those who have registered, 11,663 women are expected to give birth in August this year.
“I would also like to emphasise that we consider pregnant women to be high-risk,” he said.
On May 24, Khairy announced that a new feature would be launched on the MySejahtera application to enable pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to register for their Covid-19 vaccination.
He also said that while this group has so far been advised to consult their doctors before going for vaccination, a guideline has also been issued that suggests the jabs be given between 14 and 33 weeks of pregnancy. – June 26, 2021.