“I Got My Tdap Immunisation to Protect My Baby from the Start”

Mothers share what gave them the confidence in maternal Tdap immunisation

Every mother hopes to give her baby the best possible start in life.  With maternal Tdap immunisation, expectant mothers can do just that – it helps protect their babies against tetanus, diphtheria, and particularly the deadly pertussis (whooping cough) from the moment they are born.

Tdap is available at private hospitals and clinics, as well as in the Ministry of Health (MOH) health facilities.  Tdap has been integrated into routine antenatal care for pregnant women in Malaysia in May 2025 and is routinely offered to pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Prof Dr Jamiyah Hassan from Universiti Teknologi MARA said that pregnant mothers have shown strong interest in receiving their Tdap vaccinations.

She explained, “Pertussis is a serious disease especially in newborns and young babies. It causes severe prolonged coughing, breathing difficulty, pneumonia, occasionally convulsions, brain damage and death.

“The pertussis bacteria spreads very easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Newborns are particularly vulnerable and can easily contract the disease from parents, siblings, grandparents or other close family members and caregivers who may not realise they are infected.

“When mothers receive the Tdap vaccination during pregnancy, their bodies produce protective antibodies that are passed on to the fetus through the placenta, and these antibodies will protect the newborns during the critical first few months of life, until they are old enough to receive their own routine vaccinations.”

For many mothers, learning about the dangers of pertussis gave them the confidence to receive the maternal Tdap vaccination.

“I wasn’t willing to take any chances”

Dylossia Maclon (36), Sarawak, mother of three children

For Dylossia (36), who had just recently given birth to her third child in Kuching, Sarawak, had heard of pertussis before. However, it was only during the routine antenatal appointment of her last pregnancy that she learnt how dangerous the disease could be for newborns.

“I knew that pertussis could cause a prolonged cough, but I didn’t know it could become so serious that babies could struggle to breathe – or even die from it.”

She further added, “When I learnt how dangerous pertussis could be for babies, I was glad to receive the maternal Tdap vaccination. I just wasn’t willing to take any chances with my baby.”

“My decision makes a real difference for my baby”

Siti Nur Ardani (28), Selangor, mother of two children

Siti Nur Ardani (28) from Selangor, who is currently 30 weeks pregnant, first learnt of maternal Tdap vaccination during one of her routine antenatal check-ups. Wanting to understand more, she asked her doctor further about it.

“My doctor explained that Tdap vaccination for pregnant mothers actually helps the mother produce antibodies that are passed on to her baby, so the baby is born with protection against pertussis,” she recalled.

“The doctor’s explanation made me realise how my decision to get vaccinated could make a real difference to my child’s health,” she added.

“An opportunity mothers shouldn’t miss”

Siti Nailah (36), Terengganu, mother of two children

For Siti Nailah (36) from Terengganu, having received the tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine during her first pregnancy, she was pleased to learn that maternal Tdap immunisation offered broader protection against pertussis and diphtheria, in addition to tetanus.

She said, “I really liked the idea that mothers can start protecting their babies even before they are born.”

“As mothers, we’ll do anything we can to safeguard our babies. This is one opportunity we shouldn’t miss,” she further emphasised.

“For your baby’s best start in life”

Prof Dr Jamiyah Hassan,
Chairperson of Maternal Immunisation Guidelines
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, UiTM

Prof Dr Jamiyah remarked that she was heartened by the positive response from expectant mothers since maternal Tdap was introduced by MOH in government health clinics.

She said, “As an obstetrician, it’s deeply reassuring to see mothers taking an active role in protecting their babies, taking the time to understand their options and feeling confident in the choices they make.”

Prof Dr Jamiyah added, “For every expectant mother, my message is simple. I want you to feel reassured that maternal Tdap vaccine is safe and effective. Choosing to receive the vaccine is one of the ways you can help protect your baby from birth and give them the best possible start in life.”

To learn more on maternal Tdap immunisation, speak to your healthcare provider or visit www.immunise4life.my/tdap.

This article was contributed by Immunise4Life (IFL), in collaboration with Perinatal Society of Malaysia and supported by the Vaccination is Protection initiative. IFL is a life-course immunisation advocacy, training and education programme by Ministry of Health Malaysia, Malaysian Paediatric Association and Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases & Chemotherapy.