Whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women under review

MOH's reply

Straits Times, 8 August 2016

Whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women under review

Madam Sarah Rebecca Ang asked if the Ministry of Health (MOH) will consider recommending that women get vaccinated against whooping cough in their third trimester of pregnancy (“Can protection against whooping cough start in the womb?”; 4 August). 

Pertussis is a contagious acute bacterial infection of the respiratory tract caused by Bordetella pertussis. In Singapore, vaccination against pertussis is recommended under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule as the standard of care for young children. 

MOH, in consultation with the our Expert Committee on Immunisation and the Academy of Medicine, College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, is reviewing if the Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine should be recommended for all pregnant women. 

While the review is in progress, we advise pregnant women to consult their obstetricians on the recommended vaccinations and immunisation schedule during pregnancy, including the Tdap vaccine.

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health 

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Forum Letter

Straits Times, 3 August 2016

Can protection against whooping cough start in the womb?

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reminded parents to get their children vaccinated against whooping cough, cases of which are on the rise.

Would the ministry consider recommending the vaccination for women in their third trimester of pregnancy?

Countries such as Australia have made this compulsory, as studies have shown that the vaccination of the mother gives immunity to the infant through the transfer of antibodies via the placenta. 

I ask this because it appears that some healthcare professionals are unaware of such a vaccination and whether it might be beneficial to pregnant mothers and their babies.

It would help if MOH could provide some guidance on this matter.
 

Sarah Rebecca Ang (Madam)