Health Minister Khaw assures Singaporeans of H1N1 vaccine safety
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 November 2009
SINGAPORE: Singapore Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has assured Singaporeans of the safety of the H1N1 flu vaccine, by taking the jab himself.
Two people in China died recently after taking the flu shot, but Mr Khaw said the cases may be "purely incidental".
He also stressed that the vaccine has been certified by the World Health Organisation.
He added that Singapore is not releasing the vaccine to those under 18 years of age, until health safety officials give the go-ahead.
Clearance will likely be given by the end of November, in time for the year-end holidays.
Mr Khaw said: "When Singaporeans start going to those countries where there is a surge, and if they are not immunised, likelihood is they may get infected there, and then they bring it back to Singapore and cause more infections here.
"So I think because we don't have winter, the impact on us will be indirect, through travellers."
- CNA
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 November 2009
SINGAPORE: Singapore Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has assured Singaporeans of the safety of the H1N1 flu vaccine, by taking the jab himself.
Two people in China died recently after taking the flu shot, but Mr Khaw said the cases may be "purely incidental".
He also stressed that the vaccine has been certified by the World Health Organisation.
He added that Singapore is not releasing the vaccine to those under 18 years of age, until health safety officials give the go-ahead.
Clearance will likely be given by the end of November, in time for the year-end holidays.
Mr Khaw said: "When Singaporeans start going to those countries where there is a surge, and if they are not immunised, likelihood is they may get infected there, and then they bring it back to Singapore and cause more infections here.
"So I think because we don't have winter, the impact on us will be indirect, through travellers."
- CNA
