How to Keep the Flu Away

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How to Keep the Flu Away

Last updated: Thursday, June 28, 2018 | 2 min reading time

Dr Wu Hang, general practitioner at Parkway Shenton, Bukit Panjang Plaza clinic, explains the importance of flu shots and when you need one.

How to Keep the Flu Away

A flu can make you feel weak, lethargic and miserable for days – sometimes even weeks. For some, a flu may lead to serious health complications.

Dr Wu Hang, general practitioner at Parkway Shenton, Bukit Panjang Plaza clinic, explains the importance of flu shots and why you need one.

Q1. Who is more likely to develop complications from the flu in Singapore?

Flu in Singapore – who is at risk?

In Singapore, the following groups of people are at high risk of developing complications from an influenza infection:

Q2. Why is the flu vaccination important?

Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, it is recommended to get a flu vaccination even if you are healthy, especially if you are in constant contact with people who are in the high risk group (refer to the list above).

In Singapore, the flu season generally occurs between December and February. Another peak season is from May to July. It is therefore recommended to get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before the flu season starts, as that is the amount of time it would take for the flu vaccination to take full effect.

Q3. When and how often should I get vaccinated?

When and how often should I get vaccinated?

A yearly vaccination is recommended to boost your protection against influenza. This is because the flu viruses are constantly evolving, and your body's immunity to flu viruses may decline over time.

Q4. How effective is the flu vaccine?

For most people, the flu vaccination will reduce the risk of contracting the flu illness by between 40 – 60%. However, do note that flu vaccine does not give protection against the bird flu (H5N1) or the H7N9 virus. There are presently no vaccines for these virus strains.

Article tags

Vaccinations