Some indicators for E-week 5  (31 Jan - 6 Feb 2010) are as follows:

• The number of patients seeking treatment at polyclinics for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI)  was 15,275 during E-week 5 (daily average of 2,777 over 5.5 working days), compared to 15,771 during E-week 4 (daily average of 2,868 over 5.5 working days).
• The proportion of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) detected among patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) in the community during E-week 5 was 34% (preliminary).

Overall, there are no signs of a significant rise in influenza activity in Singapore.

Update on H1N1 2009 Vaccination
Last updated on 02 February 10

2009 H1N1 vaccine for children aged 6 months to less than 10 years
08 Dec 2009
  
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is now ready to be rolled out to children aged 6 months to less than 10 years. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is satisfied with the safety profile of the CSL Limited Panvax H1N1 vaccine for children aged 6 months to less than 10 years after reviewing the safety of the vaccine for this age-group.

2. The recommendation for children below 10 years of age, as endorsed by the Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI), is as follows:

a. For children from 3 to less than 10 years: Two doses of 0.5 mL (15mcg), given at least 4 weeks apart.

b. For children from 6 months to less than 3 years: Two doses of 0.25 mL (7.5 mcg), given at least 4 weeks apart.

3.  A large number of H1N1 cases have occurred in the younger age groups. Twenty percent of individuals hospitalised for H1N1 illness or its complications were aged below 10 years while another 20% were aged between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Hence, we strongly encourage vaccination for children as they are at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications, especially if they have pre-existing chronic medical conditions e.g. asthma and other chronic lung diseases, heart diseases, epilepsy and other neurological and neuromuscular diseases, kidney diseases, blood disorders or diabetes.

4. While vaccination is voluntary, it is important to note that H1N1 vaccine can help to protect people from getting infected with the H1N1 influenza virus. An immune response that is expected to be protective against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus can be generated after 2 weeks of administering the first dose of vaccine. A second dose given at least 4 weeks later is needed in children less than 10 years of age to ensure that immunity is sustained. Parents who are having their children vaccinated should be mindful of this lead time which is needed to build up immunity.

5. Those interested in vaccinating their children could obtain more detailed information on the H1N1 vaccine from their family doctors to make an informed decision. For their convenience, they are advised to make prior appointments for vaccination with the polyclinics and GP clinics (both PPCs and non-PPCs). The list is available at www.moh.gov.sg.

Pricing of Vaccine

6. The vaccines are supplied at cost to all polyclinics and GP clinics. The public is advised to check with the clinic on the pricing of the vaccine as charges may differ due to differences in administration, inventory and overhead cost of the vaccines. Patients who cannot afford the vaccine can seek assistance from the polyclinics. No one will be denied essential vaccines because of their inability to pay.

7. The public can visit the MOH website at www.moh.gov.sg for more information on the H1N1 vaccine.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

Roll out of 2009 H1N1 vaccine for young adults and children 
26 Nov 2009

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is now ready to be rolled out to children and young adults aged 10 years through 18 years. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) have reviewed the safety of CSL Limited Panvax H1N1 Vaccine in children aged 10 years to 18 years and are satisfied with the safety profile of the product in this age-group. The use of Panvax in children younger than 10 years of age is currently under review and a recommendation would be made soon.

2 Children aged 10 years and above are recommended to receive a single dose of 0.5mL (15mcg) vaccine. This is similar to the current adult dose recommendation.

3 While vaccination is voluntary, it is important to note that vaccine can help to protect people from being infected with the H1N1 influenza virus. An immune response that is expected to be protective against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus can be generated within 2 weeks following vaccination. People who are getting vaccinated should be mindful of this lead time which is needed to build up immunity.

4 As a large number of H1N1 cases had occurred in the younger age groups, we strongly encourage vaccination as they are at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications, especially if they have pre-existing chronic medical conditions e.g. asthma and other chronic lung diseases, heart diseases, epilepsy and other neurological and neuromuscular diseases, kidney diseases, blood disorders or diabetes.

5 Those interested in vaccination for their children could obtain more detailed information on the H1N1 vaccine from their family doctors and make an informed decision. For their convenience, they are also advised to make prior appointments for vaccination with the polyclinics and General Practitioner (GP) clinics (both Pandemic Preparedness Clinics (PPCs) and non-PPCs). The list is available at www.moh.gov.sg.

Availability of Pandemrix (GSK) H1N1 vaccines for adults

6 The adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine from Glaxo-SmithKline (GSK), Pandemrix®, is also now available for the public. Its usage is however recommended for persons aged 18 years old and above only. The ECI has recommended that 1 dose of the vaccine is sufficient.

Pricing of Vaccine

7 The various types of vaccines are supplied at cost to all polyclinics and GP clinics. They have the flexibility to order either Panvax®, CSL or Pandemrix®, GSK vaccines or both depending on the age group to be vaccinated. The public is advised to check with the clinic on the pricing of the vaccine as charges may differ due to differences in administration, inventory and overhead cost of the vaccines. Patients who cannot afford the vaccine can seek assistance from the polyclinics. No one will be denied essential vaccines because of their inability to pay.

8 For more information on the H1N1 vaccine, the public can visit the MOH website at www.moh.gov.sg

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

MOH investigates death of a two-year-old boy
25 Nov 2009
 
1. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is currently investigating the death of a two year-old child whose tracheal fluids tested positive for H1N1. MOH was notified of the death yesterday. Post mortem investigations on the cause of death are on-going.

2. The child was found to have fever and cough on 22 Nov 2009. His condition worsened on 23 Nov 09 when he was sent by an ambulance to a hospital. He passed away on the same day.

3. The deceased attended a pre-school class at Lycée Français de Singapour. As a precautionary measure, the principal of the school has decided to close the preschool classes until further notice.

4. Meanwhile, MOH is working with the school to identify if there are any clusters of illness among the students.

Ministry’s Advice

5. The Ministry would like to stress the importance of maintaining high standards of personal and environmental hygiene. If the child is unwell, parents are advised to seek medical advice and keep them at home. Parents should ensure that their children adopt good practices such as washing hands with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (eg, after sneezing and coughing).

Ministry of Health

• Press Releases
• Press Conferences
• FAQs on Influenza A (H1N1-2009)

• Ministry of Health, Singapore
• Health Promotion Board
• Singapore Flu Alert System
• World Health Organization and Pandemic Influenza Phases
• U.S. CDC