PUTRAJAYA – Only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is suitable for women in their 14th to 33rd week of pregnancy, said National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He told a press conference a virtual press conference with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba today that two vaccines – Sinovac and AstraZeneca – are not recommended for pregnant women.
He said the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) will coordinate with the relevant agencies, such as the Health Ministry, for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be given to pregnant women.
Khairy, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, said the pregnant women could also wait to get the vaccination after the birth of their child.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is also suitable for nursing mothers, he said, adding that, for the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines, the safety data is limited and recommendations will be made after consultations.
He said these were the clinical guidelines issued in response to public inquiries on vaccines for pregnant and nursing mothers.
However, they are advised to seek their doctors’ advice if they have any doubts, he added.
According to Khairy, 10.18 million individuals have registered to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
He said 1.202 million people have received the first dose of the vaccine, with 733,237 of them having completed both doses.
So far, 1,935,632 doses of the vaccine have been administered, he added.
On industrial vaccination centres (PPVs), Khairy said the CITF has approved an application by Pharmaniaga to open it as a pilot project.
“CITF approved Pharmaniaga’s application because it is the factory that is involved in the bottling of the Sinovac vaccine. Pharmaniaga buys its own vaccine to be given to its factory workers,”he said. – Bernama, May 17, 2021
