Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Hep A outbreak in Malaysia: Protect yourself with the Hep A vaccine!

There has recently been a report of an outbreak of Hep A in Terengganu, Malaysia.  If you are planning a trip to the region, please get yourself vaccinated with the Hep A vaccine.  You will need two jabs over six months, but even after the first jab, you will get 85% protection by 2 weeks and 100% protection by 3 weeks.

Hep A is easily contracted through exposure to contaminated food and water and is highly recommended for visitors planning to travel to regions like South East Asia and South Asia.

The Hep A vaccine is available at our clinic at $110 nett.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Kids to get two MMR vaccines at 12 and 15 months

MOH has announced that from 1 Dec 2011, all children will need to have 2 MMR vaccines at 12 and 15 months.  Currently, they are only required to have one at 15 months followed by a booster at primary one.

The reason for this is because there have been measles cases reported in Singapore.  By completing the 2 courses, the child will have earlier protection against measles.

It is also advised that older children who have already taken the first MMR also complete the course instead of waiting till primary one.

You now have the option of including the chickenpox vaccine as part of the MMR vaccination.  The combined vaccine is called MMRV and contains Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chickenpox vaccines.  It is a convenient way of protecting your children against an additional disease.  Our package for your child's 2nd year vaccines include 2 MMRV at 12 and 15 months and the 5 in One booster at 18 months.  The package costs $340nett and includes the consultation fees.

The MMR vaccine without chickenpox is also available at our clinic.

Read the ChannelNewsAsia article.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Cervical Awareness Month: Protect your daughter against Cervical Cancer



It's Cervical awareness month again. So here is a timely reminder for all parents that you can protect your daughter against Cervical Cancer by giving her a vaccine when she reaches 9 years of age.

The vaccine is actually already in the National Immunization program for girls from 9 to 26 years of age. So you can withdraw $300 from Medisave to pay for the vaccine if you wish. The price for the Medisave Package is $420

If you are able to pay by cash or nets, we are giving you a further discount and the package is $390 nett. This special price is valid while the current stocks of vaccines last.


Medisave price is $420

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

What to do when you get a Burn


Burnt with hot oil

When I was a kid, I remember playing hide and seek with my friend and I hid under my father's writing desk. Unfortunately, our helper had kept her hot iron under the desk too and I suffered a burn to my left arm. The first thing she did was to put toothpaste on the wound. I only have a vague memory of what happened after that, but that 8 cm scar is still visible on my left arm to remind me of what happened.  It's a good thing it wasn't my face or I might be given the nickname, "Scar".

This is a very short post to tell you one thing. When you get a scald or a burn, the first thing you should do is to put the affected area under running tap water for 10 to 15 mins. Once the pain subsides, go see the doctor. Of course if it is just a small burn about the size of a coin or two, then you may not need to see the doctor. But if it is relatively large and especially if it affects any of the joints or has blistered, then it is advisable to seek medical help.

Would you all please instruct your home helpers, viz maids, grandma, grandpa and whoever is looking after your child about this today so that they know what to do.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Safety of Seafood from Japan

I have written an article on radiation and how it affects the food we eat. 

In essence, because of the stringent controls in place, we can be confident that the food imported from Japan is safe. The article will also explain the different types of radiation and how radiation causes cancer.

Click here to read.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Common Bicycle Accident in Kids: Parents please be careful!


Common Bicycle injury in kids

I just saw another case of this type of bicycle accident where the child is riding in front of the bicycle and inadvertently got his leg trapped in the spokes of the spinning wheel.

May I remind parents to be extra vigilant when you have kids riding in front of the bicycle.  Here are some things you might want to do:

1.  Make sure the child wears proper shoes and socks.  This child was wearing a pair of slippers only.  If he had a proper pair of shoes and thick socks, the injury would not have been so bad.

2.  Please make sure you have one of those bicycle seats where the child can place his legs inside the plastic foot rests.  Make sure that the seat is big enough such that the child can stretch his legs past the seat into the spokes of the wheel.

3.  Seating the child at the back of the bicycle is better than in front as it lessens the chance of the leg getting caught in the spokes of the wheels.

4.  Always remind the child that riding a bicycle is potentially dangerous and he must sit still and not play around while the bicycle is in motion.

5.  Not many people do this in Singapore, but it is always safer if you can wear a helmet.  In Australia, this is compulsory.  I have come across one case where the child fell from a bicycle and hit her head against the drain.  She subsequently had to have an emergency surgery to evacuate a blood clot in the head.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Japan drug panel finds no link between Vaccinations and Deaths of Children

You might have heard the news that there have been some concern In Japan about the pneumoccocal and Act-Hib vaccines.  The latest report published by the Japanese drug safety panel has stated clearly that following investigations, they have found no link between five infants who died this month and the Pfizer vaccine Prevenar 7 as well as the Sanofi vaccine Act Hib.

I have been assured by the Pfizer representative here in Singapore that our batch of vaccines are different from the ones used in Japan.  We are currently administering the latest Prevenar 13 vaccines which are manufactured in England whereas the Japanese Prevenar 7 are from the US.

So far Prevenar has been in the market for the last decade and there has not been any major safety concerns after 360 million doses have been distributed.  In Japan alone, 2 million doses have been distributed and this is the first time there has been any concern about the vaccine. Japan has suspended the use of the vaccines in order to find the root cause.  But as far as their drug safety panel are concerned, there is no link between the vaccinations and the deaths.

All the other countries who are administering Prevenar 13 will continue to administer the vaccine.  In Singapore the HSA has not issued any warnings about using the vaccine.

Parents should be rest assured that the vaccine is safe.

I will continue to keep you posted on any future developments.

Link to news article.