THE TEMASEK REVIEW

Written by Our Correspondent

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has received 27 reports of adverse effects from the H1N1 vaccine since it became available on 6 November this year.

The flu jab is available in all polyclinics and Pandemic Preparedness Clinics (PPCs) in the private sector.

The commonest complaints are fever, rashes, headache, lethargy, body pain, nausea and vomiting. No reports of severe adverse reaction such as anaphylaxis have been made yet.

Severe allergic reactions to the H1N1 vaccine have also been reported in some countries, most recently, in Canada.

Several deaths apparently linked to the vaccine have also been reported overseas.

H1N1 vaccine side effects are estimated to be brief and local, but long-term side effects cannot be known for a new vaccine without the passage of time.

It is not known the number of Singaporeans who have taken the jab. About 300,000 vaccines are made available to the public.

Separately, it was reported by Norwegian health authorities that they have discovered a potentially significant mutation in the H1N1 influenza strain that could be responsible for causing the severest symptoms among those infected.

“The mutation could be affecting the virus’ ability to go deeper into the respiratory system, thus causing more serious illness,” the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said in a statement.

It was unclear whether the mutated virus was transmitted among humans, the health authorities said.

“Based on what we know so far, it doesn’t seem like the mutated virus is circulating in the population, but rather that spontaneous changes have happened in the three patients,” director Geir Stene Larsen at the public health institute said in the statement.

Dr Keiji Fukuda, Special Advisor to World Health Organisation (WHO), gave a press briefing on 06 November. Of the various highlights, he mentioned that WHO has found the pandemic vaccine to be safe and there is no picture of unusual side effects emerging.

Due to the high mutation rate of the H1N1 influenza virus, the vaccine will provide immunity to it for only a period of between 6 to 12 months.

Antibodies to the H1N1 influenza virus will only be produced about 2 weeks after the vaccination.

Like the influenza flu vaccine, the H1N1 flu vaccine is highly recommended for pregnant women and those aged 50 years and above.

While influenza vaccine is safe for children, the H1N1 flu vaccine has not been approved for use in those below the age of 18 yet though the Ministry of Health has indicated that it may give the green light to do so soon.

The H1N1 flu vaccine does not cover the influenza A virus. Both vaccines cannot be taken together.

Doctors suggest a minimum of one week’s separation between the two vaccines.

Singaporeans are encouraged to keep themselves updated with the latest medical advisory from the Ministry of Health at its website here.

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