KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Women and Children Hospital in Likas here became the first hospital in the country to conduct Covid-19 vaccination for postnatal mothers.

       Hospital director Dr Marcus Netto said they hoped more mothers, including breastfeeding mothers, would come forward to get vaccinated after giving birth.

       “We hope to encourage more postnatal, breastfeeding and expecting mothers, to get vaccinated.

       “By ensuring the mothers get vaccinated before they leave the hospital facility, it would help to increase their body resistance level to reduce risk of Covid-19 infection.

       “The mobile programme is being carried out from ward to ward to ease mothers who just gave birth from visiting the vaccine administration centre as they are a high-risk group,” he said in a statement issued by the state Information Department following the launch of the programme on July 8.

       He said 13 postnatal mothers received their immunisation on the first day of the programme.