KUALA LUMPUR: A total 191 pregnant women died due to Covid-19 complications last year (2021) since the pandemic began in the country in 2020.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a statement, said the deaths peaked between July and September last year.
He said there were 31 deaths in July; 77 in August and 44 in September.
It lowered in October when there were 12 deaths and three in November and none in December, he added.
This was in comparison to deaths reported in January (1), February (1), April (1), May (2) and 19 in June.
"Our death analysis data showed that 79 per cent of the deceased did not receive the Covid-19 vaccination while 83 per cent had comorbidities.
"Apart from that, the issue of excessive weight or obesity was a risk factor that was frequently reported.
"One factor that contributed to the reduction in pregnant women deaths due to Covid-19 complications was the high vaccination coverage of 94.7 per cent among adults aged 18 and above which was achieved in October last year.
"The Ibunisasi (vaccination for pregnant women) campaign data, up to October last year, showed that 94 per cent of them had received at least one dose of vaccine after registering on MySejahtera. From the number, 91 per cent had received two doses of the vaccine," he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said up to Feb 15 this year, there were no reports of pregnant women deaths due to Covid-19 complications.
He also said from March 2020 up to January this year, a total 18,277 Covid-19 cases involving pregnant women were registered.
"It amounts to 0.64 per cent of the overall Covid-19 cases reported during the same period.
"In 2021, the infection among pregnant women increased from July up to September before it went on a downward trend in October and until January this year," he said.
Dr Noor Hisham advised pregnant women to take the necessary Covid-19 preventive measures to ward off potential infections as they are at increased risk for severe illness.
"We advise all women and pregnant women to get their Covid-19 vaccines including booster shots as it has been proven to reduce risk complications when infected by the virus.
"Pregnant women who have yet to receive their booster shots can contact the nearest health clinic or selected private clinics to secure their appointments.
"It is best that they stay home and their family members are reminded not to be the cause of infection by adhering to the standard operating procedures when they leave home," he said.