Y S Teo Family Clinic & Surgery

Latest MOH recommendations on Influenza Vaccinations (October 2009)

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.

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.

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

Pneumococcal Vaccine for Children Made Compulsory (Sep 2009) 

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.

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.

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

News about Influenza/Flu

Parents in Australia are being urged by World Health Organisation (WHO) to vaccinate their children against Influenza/Flu.  This is because the front-line medication used to treat Influenza - Tamiflu, is losing its effectiveness.

There were 6 deaths in children under 5 years of age in Australia last year.  The elderly are also at risk of Complications (e.g. Pneumonia, Meningitis etc) and death.

The Australian Flu Season is expected to commence in June or July 2008.

** Persons travelling to Australia in the near future should get their Flu Vaccine before they leave Singapore **

Original article:  Parents warned of new killer flu.