Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus - TDAP or DPT Vaccination
The TDAP or DPT Vaccine is not new.
Most of us have had this vaccine done before.
In general it lasts for 10 years.
Recently, there have been an increase in the number of cases of Pertussis - this is also known as Whooping Cough or 100 Day Cough.
This is a very contagious respiratory infection that causes a hacking kind of cough. You can imagine it like a violent type of cough.
The problem with this is each time you cough, the chest wall muscles are used in a quick jerking motion. This can lead to a strain of the chest wall muscles and cause pain.
What is more troubling is that because of the violent nature of the cough, patients can sustain fractures of their ribs from this as a complication. This tends to occur in the elderly who might already have some medical conditions causing their bones to be weaker or even in normal previously healthy adults.
If you are in your 40s, your last vaccine was probably a long time ago and you might want to consider getting your vaccination status updated.
Currently all Healthcare Workers are required to do this vaccine.
It is also recommended for Pregnant ladies for each pregnancy. For Pregnant ladies, there is subsidy from MOH to do this vaccine.
Most of us have had this vaccine done before.
In general it lasts for 10 years.
Recently, there have been an increase in the number of cases of Pertussis - this is also known as Whooping Cough or 100 Day Cough.
This is a very contagious respiratory infection that causes a hacking kind of cough. You can imagine it like a violent type of cough.
The problem with this is each time you cough, the chest wall muscles are used in a quick jerking motion. This can lead to a strain of the chest wall muscles and cause pain.
What is more troubling is that because of the violent nature of the cough, patients can sustain fractures of their ribs from this as a complication. This tends to occur in the elderly who might already have some medical conditions causing their bones to be weaker or even in normal previously healthy adults.
If you are in your 40s, your last vaccine was probably a long time ago and you might want to consider getting your vaccination status updated.
Currently all Healthcare Workers are required to do this vaccine.
It is also recommended for Pregnant ladies for each pregnancy. For Pregnant ladies, there is subsidy from MOH to do this vaccine.
05/08/2017
It was just reported that a foreign worker has died in Singapore from Diphtheria. This is the first confirmed case in more than 20 years.
You can read about it in THIS LINK.
Diptheria is caused by a bacteria.
There is no need for alarm as all our children in Singapore are required by law to take the vaccination as part of the National Childhood Immunization Programme.
You would probably recall the vaccines 5 in 1 and 6 in 1? Yes, the 5 in 1 and 6 in 1 vaccines provide protection against Diphtheria.
However, we do know that immunity levels drop over time.
For adults aged between 19 - 64 years old, you may want to consider the Tdap Vaccine (also known as Boostrix) if your last vaccination was more than 10 years ago.
According to our Singapore National Immunisation Schedule, the Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (Tdap) - Recommended Pregnant Ladies between the 16th to 32nd week or pregnancy. Medisave can be used for this category of patients.
Another group of adults who should consider vaccination are those who have close contact with children below 1 year of age.
Talk to your family doctor today on whether you should do vaccination.
It was just reported that a foreign worker has died in Singapore from Diphtheria. This is the first confirmed case in more than 20 years.
You can read about it in THIS LINK.
Diptheria is caused by a bacteria.
There is no need for alarm as all our children in Singapore are required by law to take the vaccination as part of the National Childhood Immunization Programme.
You would probably recall the vaccines 5 in 1 and 6 in 1? Yes, the 5 in 1 and 6 in 1 vaccines provide protection against Diphtheria.
However, we do know that immunity levels drop over time.
For adults aged between 19 - 64 years old, you may want to consider the Tdap Vaccine (also known as Boostrix) if your last vaccination was more than 10 years ago.
According to our Singapore National Immunisation Schedule, the Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (Tdap) - Recommended Pregnant Ladies between the 16th to 32nd week or pregnancy. Medisave can be used for this category of patients.
Another group of adults who should consider vaccination are those who have close contact with children below 1 year of age.
Talk to your family doctor today on whether you should do vaccination.