ADULT VACCINATIONS
What is a vaccination
A vaccination is the administration of antigenic material (a vaccine) to stimulate a person's immune system to develop antibodies against an infectious disease (virus or bacteria).Vaccines against viral diseases use virus that has been weakened or killed.
Vaccines against bacterial diseases generally use a small portion of the dead bacteria to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the whole bacteria. In addition to the initial immunization process, it has been found that the effectiveness of immunizations can be improved by periodic repeat injections or "boosters."
Vaccines against bacterial diseases generally use a small portion of the dead bacteria to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the whole bacteria. In addition to the initial immunization process, it has been found that the effectiveness of immunizations can be improved by periodic repeat injections or "boosters."
Why do we vaccinate
Vaccination’s immediate benefit is individual immunity: It provides long-term, sometimes lifelong protection against a disease. Childhood immunisation schedule is mandatory and protects children from several important infections. Additional vaccines are recommended for adolescents and adults.
The secondary benefit of vaccination, however, is herd immunity, also known as community immunity. Herd immunity refers to the protection offered to everyone in a community by high vaccination rates. With enough people immunised against a given disease, it is difficult for a disease to spread within the community. This offers some protection to those who are unable to receive vaccinations—including newborns and individuals with chronic illnesses—by reducing the likelihood of an outbreak that could expose them to the disease. It also protects vaccinated individuals who may not have been fully immunised against a disease, as no vaccine is 100% effective.
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases; widespread immunity due to vaccination is largely responsible for the worldwide eradication of smallpox and the elimination of diseases such as polio, measles, and tetanus from much of the world.
To encourage more adults to vaccinate (against vaccine-preventable diseases), the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH) has established the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), which provides guidance on vaccinations for people aged 18 years and older.
Since 1 November 2017, Medisave was approved to be used to pay for recommended vaccinations under the NAIS.
Vaccinations recommended under the NAIS are not mandatory. The recommended vaccines are meant for personal protection and the protection of at-risk family members. Individuals are advised to seek advice from their family doctor on the vaccines which are applicable to them. The table below summarises the NAIS recommendations.
The secondary benefit of vaccination, however, is herd immunity, also known as community immunity. Herd immunity refers to the protection offered to everyone in a community by high vaccination rates. With enough people immunised against a given disease, it is difficult for a disease to spread within the community. This offers some protection to those who are unable to receive vaccinations—including newborns and individuals with chronic illnesses—by reducing the likelihood of an outbreak that could expose them to the disease. It also protects vaccinated individuals who may not have been fully immunised against a disease, as no vaccine is 100% effective.
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases; widespread immunity due to vaccination is largely responsible for the worldwide eradication of smallpox and the elimination of diseases such as polio, measles, and tetanus from much of the world.
To encourage more adults to vaccinate (against vaccine-preventable diseases), the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH) has established the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), which provides guidance on vaccinations for people aged 18 years and older.
Since 1 November 2017, Medisave was approved to be used to pay for recommended vaccinations under the NAIS.
Vaccinations recommended under the NAIS are not mandatory. The recommended vaccines are meant for personal protection and the protection of at-risk family members. Individuals are advised to seek advice from their family doctor on the vaccines which are applicable to them. The table below summarises the NAIS recommendations.
| Vaccines | Recommended Groups | Schedule |
| Influenza | • Persons aged 65
years or older • Persons aged 18 years and receiving long-term aspirin therapy • Persons who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, asthma, and heart disease • Persons who are immunocompromised • Persons receiving intermediate and long-term care services • Women at all stages of pregnancy Healthcare workers and staff in healthcare institutions | 1 dose annually |
| Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV23) | • Persons aged 65 years or older | 1 dose each ((PCV13/PPSV23 |
| Persons aged 18
years and older with chronic illnesses such as chronic lung, heart, kidney or
liver diseases and diabetes mellitus • Persons who are immunocompromised or with other medical conditions, including persons with cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid leaks, persons with anatomic or functional asplenia (including conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease and coeliac syndrome that may lead to splenic dysfunction). | ||
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4) | Females aged 18 to 26 years | 3 doses (0, 1-2, 6 months) |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) | Pregnant
women (for each pregnancy) | 1 dose per
pregnancy (16-32 weeks) |
| Varicella | Adults without evidence of immunity and/or prior disease | 2 doses (0, 4-8 weeks) |
| Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) | Adults without evidence of immunity and/or prior disease | 2 doses (0, 4 weeks) |
| Hepatitis B | Adults without evidence of immunity and/or prior disease | 3 doses (0, 1, 6 months |
Who should not receive vaccinations
People who have had severe allergic reaction(s) after previous vaccination(s) or allergies to specific vaccine components should not receive the vaccine.Severely immunocompromised people or pregnant women should not receive live vaccines such as MMR or varicella vaccines.
Cross Street Medical offers all relevant vaccinations and screening tests. Speak to our doctors about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment.
Cross Street Medical offers all relevant vaccinations and screening tests. Speak to our doctors about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment.