Y S Teo Family Clinic & Surgery

From the latest media releases, the Pneumococcal Vaccine (i.e. Prevnar) has been made compulsory* for all children in Singapore.  From what I understand, the recommendation from the restructured hospitals, for dosing schedule is 4 doses when baby is 2, 4, 6 & 12 months of age (please refer to the bottom of this entry for the MOH recommended vaccination schedule).

Background information

1.  The Pneumococcal bacteria causes meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain), pneumonia (lung infection), otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis (infection of the bony spaces in the face),  septicaemia (generalised blood infection).  Complications of serious Pneumococcal infections are: hospitalisation, hearing loss, mental retardation, or even death.

2.  What are the practical implications of a vaccine being made compulsory?  In Singapore, when a child registers for kindergarten/school, a vaccination certificate is needed.  Thus, if a child has not completed the full course of Pneumococcal vaccinations, he/she will not be able to obtain a vaccination certificate and will thus be unable to register for kindergarten/school.

3.  Media releases thus far indicate that the Pneumococcal vaccinations will not be subsidised by the government.  Parents can make use of funds in their Children Development Account (CDA) or medisave to pay for these vaccinations

4.  Y S Teo Family Clinic & Surgery is an approved institution for Baby Bonus Scheme, as well as Medisave Claims.

* Previously I wrote that the Pneumococcal vaccine has been made compulsory for all children in Singapore.  This is incorrect, what is true is that the Pneumococcal vaccine (a total of 3 doses) has been included into the National Childhood Immunisation Programme.

For newborn babies, the Ministry of Health has recommended for vaccination at 3 and 5 months of age.  The 3rd (which is the last) dose is when baby is between 12 months to 24 months of age.

Now you may ask, how about Pneumococcal Vaccination for Adults?

Y S Teo Family Clinic & Surgery is an Approved Institute for use of Child Development Account (CDA) for payment of Baby’s or Child’s Vaccinations (Infanrix Hexa, Pneumococcal Vaccine, Rotavirus Vaccine etc).

Please go to this section of the website, about the Baby Bonus Scheme on how to sign up to use your child’s CDA for his or his sibling’s vaccinations.

Please bring along your CDA account Nets card for payment of child’s vaccinations.

We are registered with Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) as an approved Institute for the Children Development Co-Savings (Baby Bonus) Scheme.   

The Baby Bonus Scheme allows your children to use their Children Development Account (CDA) for their medical expenses (consultation, medication, vaccinations and procedures).  To register your child for this scheme, please come down to the Clinic with the following documents:

1.  Your NRIC

2.  Your child’s Birth Certificate

3.  The latest CDA account statement

4. Your child’s Baby Bonus NETS card

You will be required to fill out a form and submit a copy of the above documents to our Clinic.  Alternatively, you may download the form (bb2.pdf) and fill it out first.

That’s it!  Just bring your form and all the above documents to our Clinic. 

If you have any queries, please call us at 6258 6096.