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.