The Department of Infectious Diseases from Changi General Hospital (CGH) shares about the common vaccines for adults: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), Pneumococcal and the flu (Influenza) vaccine.
Continued from previous page.
The
Department of Infectious Diseases from Changi General Hospital (CGH), a member of the
SingHealth group, shares about the recommended vaccines for adults.
Recommended vaccines for adults
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine |
The MMR vaccine is a “3-in-1” that protects against measles, mumps and rubella – all potentially serious diseases.
Adults born in 1957 or later should receive one or two doses of the MMR vaccine unless they have medical contraindications to the vaccine, laboratory evidence of immunity to each of the three diseases, or documented physician diagnosis of measles, mumps or rubella infection. |
Hepatitis B vaccine |
This vaccine prevents hepatitis, which is an infection of the liver caused by the
Hepatitis B virus. It spreads through the exchange of blood or body fluid from sharing personal items, blood-taking or during sex. The virus stays in the liver of some people for the rest of their lives and can result in liver disease, including
liver cancer.
Recommended for
Adults below 60 years old diagnosed with diabetes
Adults with end-stage renal diseases, including those receiving haemodialysis, patients diagnosed with HIV and adults with chronic liver disease
Adults with household members and partners with chronic Hepatitis B infections
Anyone travelling to countries with high and intermediate prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B infection Sexually active people and partners of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive persons
|
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine |
Adults should receive two doses of varicella vaccine. Varicella, more commonly known as chickenpox, is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is highly contagious from one to two days before rash onset until all the rash have dried up.
Recommended for
Those in close contact with people at high risk for severe disease (e.g. family members of an immunocompromised person)
Those at high risk of exposure of transmission (e.g. healthcare workers, teachers, child-care employees, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, college students, military personnel, mothers, adolescents and adults in household with young children)
|
Pneumococcal vaccine | The pneumococcal vaccine prevents pneumococcal diseases, which can result in infections such as:
Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
Pneumonia (lung infection)
Bacteremia and sepsis (blood infection)
Sinusitis(infection of the sinuses)
Otitis media(ear infection) Severe pneumococcal infections can lead to hearing loss, brain damage, paralysis and sometimes, even death.
Recommended for
Adults 65 years and older
Adults 19 to 65 years with chronic lung disease (e.g. chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma), chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease, alcoholism, HIV, cancer or asplenia (absence of spleen)
|
Influenza (flu) vaccine |
This type of vaccine protects people against influenza, which is an infection caused by the influenza virus. It spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks (droplet transmission).
Recommended for Everyone aged 6 months and older
Seniors aged 65 years old and above Those with chronic medical conditions
|
The National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) by MOH
The vaccines in the NAIS protect against the following 11 diseases – Influenza, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox). This table shows the frequency and amount of dosage based on age group.
Influenza
|
1 dose annually or per season#
|
1 dose annually or per season* |
Pneumococcal conjugate
|
1 dose#*
|
Pneumococcal polysaccharide
|
1 or 2 doses (depending on indication)#
|
1 dose* |
Tetanus, reduced diphthera and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
|
1 dose during each pregnancy#
|
Human papillomavirus (recommended only for females)
|
3 doses^
|
|
Hepatitis B
|
3 doses^
|
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
|
2 doses^
|
Varicella (chickenpox)
|
2 doses^
|
* 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
A PDF version of the NAIS is available
here.
Ref: H24(ed)
See the previous page to learn how to
separate fact from myth about vaccines.
Check out more articles on vaccination:
Why Vaccinations Are Important for Seniors
The Truth About Vaccines
Recommended Vaccinations for Diabetics
Must-have Travel Vaccines Before You Fly
Child Vaccinations: What You Need to Know