MOH: Free 3-in-1 vaccine for pregnant women starting next year

The initiative of the Health Ministry to provide free tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) combination vaccine to pregnant women starting next year is seen as a preparedness measure to protect vulnerable groups, including babies, from contracting pertussis (whooping cough).

Public health specialist Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said newborns cannot receive the vaccine directly, thereby increasing the risk of pertussis infection and disease complications due to low immunity.

“Thus, when pregnant mothers are vaccinated...