PETALING JAYA, 24 May 2026 (The Capital Post) — Medical experts in Malaysia are encouraging pregnant mothers to receive the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy to help protect newborn babies from pertussis, commonly known as the “100-day cough”.
Obstetricians and paediatricians also praised the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) for successfully implementing maternal Tdap immunisation nationwide since 2025, describing it as a safe and effective strategy to safeguard infants during their most vulnerable early months.
The initiative places Malaysia among more than 50 countries worldwide that have introduced maternal Tdap immunisation as part of pregnancy and infant healthcare practices.
The vaccine is recommended for every pregnancy and is provided free of charge at government clinics between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. It is also available at university hospitals, private hospitals and clinics for a fee.
According to experts, public response to the programme has been encouraging, with more mothers showing confidence in maternal immunisation and its effectiveness in protecting newborns.
Professor Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, Consultant Paediatrician and Technical Committee Chairman of the Immunise4Life programme, said pertussis remains particularly dangerous for infants under five months old.
He explained that infected babies may experience severe and uncontrollable coughing, difficulty breathing and oxygen deprivation, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain damage and even death.
He further revealed that in 2023, 43.8% of pertussis cases in Malaysia involved infants below five months old, while 43 infant deaths linked to pertussis were reported within the same age group.
Prof Zulkifli noted that the disease is often transmitted by people closest to the baby, including parents, siblings, caregivers, grandparents and healthcare workers, many of whom may only experience mild symptoms or none at all.
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He added that while children receive DTaP vaccinations at two, three, five and 18 months of age, infants remain highly vulnerable during the first six months of life before full protection develops.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr Jamiyah Hassan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (Fetomaternal) as well as President of the Perinatal Society Malaysia, explained that maternal Tdap immunisation helps bridge this protection gap.
She said antibodies produced after vaccination during pregnancy are transferred to babies through the placenta, giving newborns protection from birth during their most critical early months.
According to Prof Jamiyah, Tdap immunisation during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pertussis in infants by up to 93% and prevent as many as 95% of pertussis-related deaths.
Besides protecting against pertussis, the vaccine also helps prevent tetanus and diphtheria, which may also cause severe complications in babies.
She stressed that the Tdap vaccine has been extensively studied globally and is proven safe for both mothers and babies, with only mild and generally well-tolerated side effects reported in some cases.
In conjunction with the lingering spirit of Mother’s Day, Prof Jamiyah encouraged expectant mothers to prioritise vaccination as an important step in protecting their babies from vaccine-preventable diseases and ensuring a safer start to life.
The article was contributed by Immunise4Life in collaboration with the Perinatal Society of Malaysia and supported by the “Vaccination is Protection” initiative. – The Capital post
