Influenza Vaccine
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Understanding influenza
Influenza (or flu) is a common and highly contagious respiratory illness. It is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. For most people, influenza resolves on its own. But sometimes, its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing influenza complications include:
- Young children between age six months and five years
- Adults older than age 65
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
- People who have chronic illnesses, like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, renal failure etc
- People who are very obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
Although the annual influenza vaccine isn’t 100% effective, it’s still your best defence against the flu in Singapore.
Get your influenza vaccine
In Singapore, the influenza season generally occurs between December and February, with another peak season from May to July. The Ministry of Health’s National Adult Immunisation Schedule recommends getting one vaccination per year.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: fever, aching muscles, chills and sweats, headache, dry, persistent cough, shortness of breath. tiredness and weakness, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and eye pain.
Fortunately, the influenza vaccine is recommended for most people. The influenza vaccine can reduce your risk of the flu and its severity, as well as lower the risk of having severe illness from the flu. The flu vaccination is critical this season because the flu and COVID-19 cause similar symptoms.
Influenza vaccination could reduce symptoms that might be confused with those caused by COVID-19. Preventing the flu and reducing the severity of flu illness and hospitalisations can also reduce the number of people visiting a medical clinic and needing to stay in the hospital.
Contact us
Contact our clinic to arrange your influenza vaccine. Our clinic team can advise which of the latest influenza vaccines is recommended (Northern or Southern hemisphere).
We have two clinics for your convenience. One is located at Raffles Hotel Arcade (CBD) and The Star Vista (off Holland Rd). There is excellent public transport at both clinics, and there is ample parking at both.