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.

1.  Persons who are vaccinated with the Northern Hemisphere (NH) 2009 seasonal vaccine should also be vaccinated with the Pandemic H1N1-2009 vaccine when it becomes available in November/December 2009.

Translation to English: 2 vaccines (1 for ‘normal’ flu and 1 for H1N1) are needed for full protection against Influenza from end 2009 to early 2010.

2.  Persons who have been vaccinated with the NH 2009 and the H1N1-2009 vaccines in 2009 should also be vaccinated with the Southern Hemisphere (SH) 2010 seasonal Influenza vaccine when it is becomes available in February/March 2010.

Translation to English: when the new flu vaccine becomes available in Feb or Mar 2010, please get that shot as well for full protection against Influenza from middle to end 2010.

For those who are so inclined, the rationale for the 2 recommendations by MOH are over here.

Southern Hemisphere?  Northern Hemisphere?  An explanation of these possibly confusing terms used in connection with the influenza vaccines.

People who should get their flu shots

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.

Persons-at-risk are patients who are at high risk of developing Complications (e.g. Pneumonia, Meningitis) and even risk to life because of Influenza or Flu.  The reason is that Persons-at-risk have weaker immune systems.

The following persons-at-risk should be vaccinated (Flu Vaccine):

1.  All those above 50 years (CDC recommendation)

2.  Adults and children with Chronic Pulmonary (e.g. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease etc), & Cardiovascular Diseases (e.g. Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension etc).  The largest patient population in this group are Asthmatics.

3.  Adult and children with Kidney and Metabolic diseases (e.g. Renal Impairment/Failure, Diabetes Mellitus Type I & II).

4.  Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy and hence at risk of developing Reye’s Syndrome if they are infected with Influenza.

5.  Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

6.  Family members of above persons listed in 1 to 5 because they are at risk of transmitting Influenza.

7.  Travellors going to Flu-prone or Flu-hit countries.

Braun Thermoscan IRT 4520

We are working closely with Medical Equipment suppliers to bring you quality products at special prices.

The most accurate ear thermometer from Braun due to unique pre-warmed tip technology. Temperature readings are obtained in seconds. Made in Germany. While stocks lasts, call us at 6258 6096 for enquiries.

(A similar model is used in the Clinic)