Why you should get vaccinated ahead of the flu season

With the year-end flu season round the corner, it is probably time to get your flu shot, which is available at polyclinics, general practitioner (GP) clinics and retail pharmacies.

- Yap Wei Qiang Correspondent

Infectious diseases experts recommend the flu vaccination, particularly for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions, as they face a higher risk of complications from severe influenza infections. Vaccination is recommended even for those without travel plans.

(ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG)

Infectious diseases experts recommend the flu vaccination, particularly for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions, as they face a higher risk of complications from severe influenza infections. Vaccination is recommended even for those without travel plans.

Though the year-end flu season has yet to begin, more people here have been down with the flu.

Data from the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) shows polyclinic visits for acute upper respiratory infections - predominantly caused by viruses such as the influenza virus - have gone up by 8 per cent in recent weeks. The daily average has risen from about 2,520 visits in late August to early September to about 2,730 visits.

A CDA spokeswoman said influenza viruses circulate year-round in Singapore, with peaks typically observed in May to August, and December to March.

Simply Science looks at the flu virus and how vaccines can protect those at high risk.

A Dr Stephanie Sutjipto, an infectious diseases consultant with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, said once the vaccination has been administered, the body will start to recognise the vaccine antigens, which are proteins that will trigger the immune response.

It will also activate the B cells white blood cells that produce the protective antibodies.

Information on the national healthcare portal HealthHub mentions minor side effects such as:

• Soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given

» Muscle aches