Other Vaccinations

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness. The hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that provides long-term protection against the virus. It is usually administered in two shots, six months apart.

Benefits: The vaccine effectively prevents hepatitis A infection, reducing the risk of liver disease and associated complications.

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine is made from a small piece of the virus and cannot cause hepatitis B. It is commonly given in a series of three doses over a period of six months.

Benefits: Regular vaccination can prevent the hepatitis B virus infection, thereby reducing the risk of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

This is a combination vaccine that provides protection against both hepatitis A and B viruses. It offers the convenience of fewer injections while ensuring immunity against both diseases.

Benefits: The combined vaccine offers comprehensive protection against two major liver diseases, ensuring overall liver health.

In Singapore, there are 2 types of HPV vaccines – HPV2 (Ceravarix), and HPV9 (Gardasil 9). Ceravarix is designed to protect against two high-risk HPV types (16 and 18) that cause about 70% of cervical cancers. Gardasil 9 provides protection against additional 20% of cancer-causing HPV types, available for females and males. It is administered in a series of two or three doses, depending on the age at which vaccination starts.

Benefits: Regular vaccination can prevent most cases of cervical cancer and other forms of cancer caused by HPV.

The MMR vaccine is a combined vaccine that protects against three viral infections: measles, mumps, and rubella. These diseases can lead to serious complications, including encephalitis, meningitis, and birth defects.

Benefits: The vaccine provides long-term immunity against these diseases, ensuring protection from potential complications.

Tetanus is a severe bacterial infection that affects the nervous system. The tetanus vaccine is part of routine immunisations and is given as a booster shot every ten years to ensure continued protection.

Benefits: The vaccine effectively prevents tetanus, which can cause painful muscle contractions and can be fatal.

Shingles vaccination is a preventive measure designed to reduce the risk of developing shingles, a painful skin rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus, thereby decreasing the likelihood of shingles occurrence or reducing its severity if it does occur.

Benefits:

• Reduced risk of developing shingles: The vaccine significantly lowers the chances of experiencing shingles-related symptoms, including pain, rash, and potential complications.
• Lower risk of postherpetic neuralgia: Shingles vaccination has been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing postherpetic neuralgia, a severe and long-lasting nerve pain often associated with shingles.
• Protection against shingles-related complications: By bolstering the immune response to the varicella-zoster virus, the vaccine helps prevent complications such as vision loss, neurological problems, and skin infections associated with shingles outbreaks.

Overall, shingles vaccination is a safe and effective way to safeguard against the debilitating effects of shingles and its associated complications, particularly in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

TDAP is a combination vaccine that protects against three bacterial infections: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is recommended for adolescents and adults as a one-time shot, followed by tetanus boosters every ten years.

Benefits: The vaccine provides comprehensive protection against diseases that can lead to breathing difficulties, heart failure, and neurological complications.

The yellow fever vaccine is designed to protect against the yellow fever virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe illness. Yellow fever is characterized by fever, chills, headache, back pain, and jaundice. The vaccine is typically administered as a single dose, which provides lifelong protection.

Vaccination is recommended for people aged 9 months or older, and who are traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus – Africa, Central and South America. A proof of yellow fever vaccine may be required for entry into certain countries, you must get the vaccination at least 10 days before your trip.

Benefits: The vaccine not only prevents yellow fever but also reduces the risk of potential complications, including liver failure, kidney failure, bleeding disorders, and encephalitis.

Find out more from our clinic.