Vaccines might seem like a tiny prick on your skin, but they're like a “superhero” training program for your immune system. Imagine your body's defenses as a team of “warriors”. Vaccines help them train against specific “villains”, which are the nasty germs that can cause diseases.

What is vaccination?

Vaccination is a safe, simple and effective medical procedure that involves introducing a weakened or inactive form of a germ (virus or bacteria) into the body. This helps the body develop resistance to the disease and protects the person from getting sick.

As vaccines introduce only weak or inactive germs, they can't make you sick.  Think of it like showing your “warriors” a picture of the bad guy – they learn to recognize it without having to have an actual fight. This way, once your “warriors” encounter the real germ, your body already has a plan to to fight it.

Why should you get vaccinated?

There are two key reasons to get vaccinated:

1. To protect from several preventable diseases; and

2. To protect those around you – especially those that can't fight for themselves, like newborns, elderly individuals, and people undergoing medical treatments.

First, vaccines can help prevent a variety of diseases, some of which can be fatal. When you get vaccinated, your body develops antibodies that can fight off the specific infection. This strengthens your immune system and makes you less susceptible to the disease in the future.

Second, vaccination not only protects you but also helps protect those around you who may not be able to get vaccinated themselves, such as infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. For example, while most healthy adults recover safely from the flu, this same illness can be very dangerous to the elderly, those with concurrent medical conditions or people with weakened immune systems.

Of course, there are also cases when vaccines are required – whether for school or as travel requirements. Healthcare workers, for example, may be required to be vaccinated against certain diseases that put them at risk of catching and spreading diseases. Meanwhile, in many places around the world, vaccination is required before you travel. 

Are Vaccines Safe?

Vaccines are safe and effective. Globally, vaccines are assessed by the relevant authorities to make sure that they meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy before being approved for use -  based on the best scientific evidence available. Side effects are closely watched for, and any concerns are investigated thoroughly.

In Singapore, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) gives the final approval to safe and effective vaccines.  Following approval of the vaccines, their safety is still closely monitored, and any safety concerns are investigated.

However, like any medicine, vaccines too can have side effects. There are mild side effects such as low-grade fever, or pain and redness at the injection site – but these are expected to go away on their own without any medical intervention. Severe side effects are considered rare. 

Who are the vulnerable groups who would benefit from vaccination?

While vaccines are great for everyone, some groups of individuals might need a bit more protection because their immune systems aren't quite as strong. These groups are:

1. Seniors aged 65 and above & young children. The immune systems of the elderly (65+) may have immune systems that aren't firing on all cylinders anymore. As for young kiddos, their immune systems are still under construction – not fully developed yet.  Vaccines help both groups fight off infections much better.

2. People with medical conditions. People with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, are at higher risk of developing complications from infections. Vaccines can give them the extra protection that they need.  

3. Pregnant women. Vaccines can protect both the mother and baby. Getting recommended vaccines before pregnancy helps prevent preventable illnesses. There are even recommended vaccines like Tdap (protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) and flu shots that are safe to get during pregnancy.  It is, however, important to consult with your doctor about the best vaccines to get.

A Recommended Vaccination Schedule

Your recommended vaccination schedule would depend on your health condition, age, lifestyle factors, and even your line of work.

In Singapore, the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) was established in 2017. The NAIS, which was developed based on  international best practice and the recommendations of the Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI), serves to provide guidance on vaccinations that adults aged 18 years and older should ideally get to protect themselves against 11 preventable diseases.

The vaccines in the NAIS protect against the following diseases:

1. Influenza

2. Pneumococcal disease

3. Human papillomavirus

4. Tetanus

5. Diphtheria

6. Pertussis

7. Measles

8. Mumps

9. Hepatitis B

10. Varicella (chickenpox).

Who Should Take the Vaccines and When

Source: Ministry of Health Singapore | Nationally Recommended Vaccines

* Recommended for adults who meet age requirement

# Recommended for adults with specific medical condition or indication

^ Recommended for adults who have not been previously vaccinated, or lack evidence of past infection or immunity

It is still recommended to consult with your healthcare practitioner for your personalized vaccination plan.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Protect yourself and your loved ones from certain preventable diseases – this is your best defense against these vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications.

All Singapore Citizens who meet the criteria for vaccination under the NAIS are eligible for subsidies for nationally-recommended vaccinations at our clinic. These are the vaccines we offer at NOVI Health:

* Price before prevailing GST

# Please present your ID and CHAS card at time of appointment for our staff to check your CHAS tier, eligibility criteria and process the claim through the MOH Healthcare Claims Portal. Prices depend on your eligibility and subsidy tier.