Stay Healthy
Vaccines and Immunisation
Did you know....
FACT
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus, which is sexually transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. and can infect genital areas of both men and women. There are more than 40 strains of HPV.
FACT
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer in women, as well as anal cancer in men. HPV can also cause genital warts. HPV infection is common, and persons with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of infection.
FACT
Men can take HPV vaccine to reduce the risk of infection, and the risk of genital warts and anal cancer. There may also be benefit for female partners because the risk of women developing cervical cancer is higher if her partner has HPV infection.
FACT
HPV vaccine is most effective prior to infection, which usually occurs through sexual activity. However, if you have had sex before, you may not be infected with HPV and might still benefit from HPV vaccine in preventing future infection. HPV vaccine is licensed for individuals up to 9-26 years of age, based on research trials.
FACT
HPV vaccines will not treat or get rid of existing HPV infections. The current HPV vaccine protects against 2 cancer-causing strains that cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. So even after being vaccinated, you still need to get routine gynaecological exams and Pap smears.
FACT
With effect from 1 November 2010, girls and young women from 9-26 years of age can use up to $500 per year for the HPV vaccination (Gardasil 4) from their own or their parents’ Medisave accounts.
Please ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine.
Gardasil 4 & Gardasil 9 vaccines are available in Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Prepared by Nurse Manager Teng Wei Peng
FACT
Hepatitis refers to infection of the liver. While liver infection can be caused by other viruses such as Epstein Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV), when doctors talk about viral hepatitis, they usually mean hepatitis A, B, or C. There is also hepatitis D and E!
FACT
Although many people are aware of hepatitis A risk from eating cockles or seafood, hepatitis A and E can be spread through consuming contaminated food, water, ice. Risk for hepatitis A and E infection is higher in developing countries.
FACT
Unlike hepatitis A & E, hepatitis B, C, and D are spread by sexual contact with someone who is infected, contaminated needles or blood transfusions, or in an infant, being born to a mother with chronic infection.
However, hepatitis D infection only occurs in people who already have chronic hepatitis B infection.
FACT
- For every 1000 older persons (age > 50) who catch hepatitis A, 18 will die of it (US CDC Health Information for Inernational Travel 2012)
- Pregnant women who get infected with hepatitis E also have a higher risk of death from that infection.
FACT
- Unlike hepatitis A and E, those infected with hepatitis B and C can develop chronic infection.
- Chronic hepatitis B and C carriers have higher risk of liver cancer and should have regular medical check-ups. Their spouses and sexual partners should also use safer sex precautions.
FACT
- Hepatitis A vaccine is a 2-dose series, given 6 months apart.
- Hepatitis B vaccine is a 3-dose series, given at 0, 1, and 6 months.
- If you need both, the combination hepatitis A+B vaccine is 3-doses, given at 0, 1, and 6 months, similar to hepatitis B vaccine.
- There are currently no vaccines against hepatitis C, D or E.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR about hepatitis A or B vaccine if you want to be protected against these infections.
By Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian – Head, Traveller’s Health and Vaccination Clinic
In children, rubella is usually mild with low-grade fever, nausea, rash, swollen neck lymph glands and eye redness. But infection in a pregnant woman (especially during the first trimester) can result in congenital rubella syndrome, with miscarriage, premature delivery and birth defects in the baby such as deafness, heart problems, and developmental delays.
Women can avoid the the risk of rubella and its complications in babies by getting vaccinated before pregnancy. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is part of Singapore National Childhood Immunisation Programme (NCIP); the first dose is recommended at 12 months of age and the second dose at 15-18 months of age.
Earlier reports of links between the MMR vaccine and autism, chronic arthritis and other chronic conditions have been discredited, and found to have no scientific basis.
However, MMR vaccine is a live vaccine, made from weakened viruses so that individuals can be protected against the actual virus if they are ever exposed. This protection is lifelong. Side effects of the vaccine are mild and may consist of low-grade fever. Rash and joint aches can occur but are uncommon.
If your child’s caregivers have never received 2 doses of MMR vaccine, if infected, they can transmit rubella to an infant who has not yet been protected by MMR vaccine.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR about MMR for your children, and also for their caregivers.
PRECAUTION: MMR is a live virus vaccine. Women who are pregnant, and persons with serious immune system problems generally should NOT receive live vaccines.
By Dr Lee Tau Hong – Head, Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Office
FACT
- Measles pneumonia is a complication that can happen in 6 of every 100 children with measles.
- One in every 1000 children with measles can get brain infection (encephalitis) as a complication.
- Two children die out of every 1000 children with measles, with total 300,000 deaths worldwide in 2008.
FACT
- The first dose of MMR is given after the child is 12 months’ old because the vaccine provides better long-term immunity after the child is a year old.
FACT
- 5 out of 100 children who have received only 1 dose of MMR vaccine can still catch measles. The second dose of MMR is required for full, long-lasting protection.
FACT
- 5 out of 100 children who have received only 1 dose of MMR vaccine can still catch measles. The second dose of MMR is required for full, long-lasting protection.
- This new recommendation came into effect December 1, 2011.
FACT
- If caregivers for your child have never been protected by 2 doses of MMR vaccine, if they do catch measles, mumps or rubella, they can transmit these infections to your young children.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR about MMR for your children, and also for their caregivers.
PRECAUTION: MMR is a live virus vaccine. Women who are pregnant, and persons with serious immune system problems generally should NOT receive live vaccines.
By Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian – Head, Traveller’s Health and Vaccination Clinic
