Y S Teo Family Clinic & Surgery

1. The H1N1 vaccine available in the Clinic is a Single Dose vaccine.  This ensures sterility, and hygiene.  There is also no hassle of waiting for 9 other patients to be be available to be vaccinated together, which is the case for the multidose vaccine.
2. The H1N1 vaccine available in the Clinic is Non-Adjuvanted.  This means that our vaccine is safe, even for pregnant women.
3. In our Clinic, you will be seen and attended to by our Doctor.  The Doctor will take you through the whole process of history, physical examination (if necessary) and the actual vaccination.  At the polyclinic and some Chain Clinics, the whole process will be handled by a nurse (either state-registered or not).
4. There is NIL to minimal waiting time at our Clinic.

What is the difference between flu (influenza) and cold?

1.  They are caused by different virii  Flu (or Influenza) is caused by the Influenza virii.  There are 3 types of Influenza Virii: Type A, B & C.  Colds are caused by Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus etc (there are altogether about 200 different virii that can cause the common cold).

2.  Flu symptoms are usually more severe  Flu and colds share similar symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, scratchy throat etc.  However the symptoms for flu are usually more severe, so sufferers of flu usually have fever higher than 38 degree celcius, with whole body ache (even to the point of not wanting to get out of bed).  Flu symptoms last longer as well, someone with flu usually takes a week to 10 days to fully recover.  Someone with cold, would usually recover in 3 to 4 days.  This is why it makes sense to get vaccinated against Influenza.

3.  Complications of Influenza   People can and have succumbed (i.e. die due) to Influenza even before we ever had or knew about “Asian Bird Flu” or “Swine Flu”.  The serious complications, due to Influenza, leading to deaths are: viral pneumonitis (lung inflammation), secondary bacterial pneumonia (lung infection), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pericarditis (inflammation of the ‘covering’ surrounding the heart.

Persons with weaker immune systems e.g. more than 50 years old, persons with underlying chronic medical problems etc are the ones who are at higher risk of the above serious complications of Influenza.  Complete list of Persons at risk of Complications from Influenza.

As of 1 July 2009, Flu (Influenza) Vaccines are still available.  While stocks lasts.  Please call Clinic at 6258 6096 to check on availabilty of Flu Vaccine before making a trip down to the Clinic.  Thank you.

List of Persons-at-risk who should be vaccinated:  Expert recommendation on Persons-at-risk from Flu.