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SINGAPORE: Young children in Singapore will be immunised against pneumococcal disease, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan told Parliament on Tuesday.
The Health Ministry will include pneumococcal vaccination into the National Childhood Immunisation Programme.
Pneumococcal disease is a major public health problem all over the world and the World Health Organisation has estimated that up to one million children die of it every year, mostly in developing countries.
The disease is caused by a common bacterium, streptococcus pneumoniae, which can attack different parts of the body.
In Singapore, 70 children under five years old were hospitalised for pneumococcal disease every year.
Pneumococcal infections may be invasive, causing for example pneumonia and meningitis. Since 2000, Singapore recorded seven deaths among young children from invasive pneumococcal disease.
Mr Khaw said: "Fortunately, a vaccine is available to protect children against this disease. Extensive studies have shown the vaccine to be safe and effective.
"Several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, UK and the US, have included pneumococcal vaccination in their national childhood immunisation programmes. Our Expert Committee on Immunisation has reviewed this and recommended that we follow suit." - CNA/vm
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