The Ministry of Health (Singapore) officially announced the availability of Infuenza A / H1N1 2009 vaccine yesterday. Although the initial supplies are limited, it is believed to be sufficient for the local population based on previous experience.
Finally! After waiting with bated breath for the past few months, this announcement is good news for both the public & medical community.
Below is a summary of the key points regarding the MOH Press release.
2. MOH will reserve part of this supply (about 200,000 doses) for essential personnel, including those in the healthcare sector.
3. Priority for vaccination should go to population groups that are likely to benefit. This would include those who are at higher risk of developing complications from Influenza A/H1N1
(2009):
• Pregnant women;
• People with chronic medical conditions (lung disorders, heart diseases, diabetes, kidney failure, neuromuscular disorders); and
• People with chronically suppressed immunity due to disease or long-term medication.
4. There is no need for a confirmed case of Influenza A/H1N1 (2009) infection to be vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine.
5. Individuals who have had their yearly flu vaccines can still take the Influenza A/H1N1 (2009) vaccine – but priority should be given to the higher risk population group as listed above.
6. Although the safety profile of the new Influenza A/H1N1 (2009) vaccine is still under evaluation, it should be similar to prevailing flu vaccines. MOH is closely monitoring the progress of clinical trials & experience in other countries. and will advice on when it is safe to commence large scale voluntary vaccination in time to come.
7 Comments on “Singapore gets H1N1 vaccine – soon!”
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Tituslow says:
Most of the private GP have not received their stocks of H1N1 vaccines. You can go to the government polyclinics for the flu vaccine. But do give them a call first to make sure they have not run out of stock.
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 6:17 PM.
sharon tan says:
i’m PR and my family are malaysians, so can they do H1N1 vaccination in singapore? which clinic & hospital provide vaccine for public?
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 3:41 PM.
Tituslow says:
Every vaccine and drug has its risk and side effects. If MOH approves it , you can be quite sure that Health Science Authority has done its due diligence and evaluated the risks/side effects against the benefits. Try to check out the HSA website or cdc.gov website for more info
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 3:57 PM.
SL says:
Hi, read from some medical websites that H1N1 vaccine is not proven to be safe at the moment? Any precaution been taken by MOH to evaluate this before bringing into Spore? where can we read and understand a bit more about this vaccine? If we do not travel, then no need to get the vaccine?
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM.
BenjaminK says:
Dear Anonymous(9360), as of current writing, MOH has yet to provide specific instructions for the use of the new H1N1 vaccine. Based on earlier press releases, the priority is for healthcare workers; pregnant women; persons with chronic medical conditions who are immunosuppressed; and young children from 6 months to under 5 years of age. It has also been suggested that individuals going on the Haj will have priority for the H1N1 vaccine.
MOH promises to release further H1N1 vaccine instructions in time to come. We will keep this page updated once such information is available. /AB
Posted on October 21, 2009 at 11:37 PM.
Anonymous says:
erm hi. i heard that students MUST get the vaccine.. as in compulsory.. and we HAVE to take it if we are going overseas… is it true? please reply asap thanks….
Posted on October 20, 2009 at 6:13 PM.
sally whitfield says:
I never had a vaccination before in my life and I don’t need one now. I’m not giving them the chance to keep me in fear and under control. And being a person who probably know what soylent green is, you would probably understand that. We’re not really being told the truth, even when it some to swine flu.
Posted on September 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM.