PETALING JAYA: Pregnant women and nursing mothers must first consult their doctors to determine if they should take the Covid-19 vaccine, says Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
The Health Minister said however that generally the vaccine should not pose a problem but it would be best for expecting mothers to discuss the matter first with their specialists.
They could be considered for the vaccine if the benefits outweigh the risks and considering the overall safety of their developing infant, he said during a joint press conference with Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin after chairing the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee on Monday (March 1).
Presently, Dr Adham said the only data on pregnant women receiving vaccines comes from clinical trials done by vaccine manufacturer Pfizer on 23 women who had volunteered for trials but were unaware of their pregnancy.
He said 12 women were given vaccines while 11 were administered with placebo with two of those, who were given the placebo, suffering spontaneous miscarriages.
He added there is no data of the presence of the vaccines in breast milk and nursing mothers could be considered for the vaccination if there are no contradictions.
He also said that those with HIV or compromised immune systems could receive the vaccine provided they go for counselling and that their existing condition is stable.
He added it was crucial for pregnant women and those with health risks to reveal their medical history to doctors before considering vaccination.
Dr Adham said there may be frontliners eligible for vaccination under the first phase of the national immunisation programme but may be pregnant or having existing comorbidities.
