Flu Vaccine
Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are 2 main types: influenza A and B. Influenza can cause severe disease and death and can lead to epidemics. Flu viruses infect your nose, throat and lungs, potentially causing complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and even heart problems. In serious cases, flu can even lead to death.
Protect yourself and others around you against the risk of flu by ensuring you and your family receive a regular flu vaccine.
Living in Singapore means people travel to both the Northern and Southern hemisphere. At Osler Health, we can provide the latest seasonal flu vaccine for either hemisphere.
Why get the flu vaccine?
People with the flu often experience fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, and fatigue. Flu usually goes away in 1 – 2 weeks and isn’t severe. However, children and adults who are of higher risk may develop complications. Pneumonia is the most serious complication and can be deadly.
Getting a flu vaccination is an effective way to protect you and your loved ones from flu and its complications. Studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40 – 60% among the overall population during seasons – when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine.
It is essential to get vaccinated every year because flu viruses mutate quickly, and last year’s vaccine may not protect you from the new strains this year. Furthermore, when you get the vaccine, your immune system produces antibodies to protect you from the virus. However, levels of antibodies may decline over time so getting vaccinated regularly helps you have continued protection.
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The benefits of getting the flu vaccine include:
● More protection if you plan to travel to other countries
● Milder symptoms if you do get the flu
● Lower risk of flu-related complications and hospitalisations
● Protect those in the community who cannot get vaccinated