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SINGAPORE: Polyclinics started offering H1N1 vaccinations on Friday and Haj pilgrims were among the first to receive the jabs.
The vaccines, which had arrived in batches since last Friday, were given to private general practitioners and polyclinics on Wednesday.
Azman Aziz was one of the pilgrims waiting in line at the Woodlands Polyclinic. The 42-year-old seafarer was only informed last week that he could go to Mecca after an additional 1,500 places were made available to Singapore for the Haj season.
"I've no problem because I'm prepared. I've already taken two months' leave," he said.
Saudi authorities require pilgrims to get H1N1 shots once they are available in their home countries. But some 100 pilgrims had left Singapore before the vaccine became available locally.
Sallim Abdul Kadir, head of Singapore Haj mission, said: "Those who've left without the vaccination have already gone through the immigration. They're already there, so there's no further requirement for now."
Doctors said side-effects of the vaccine are similar to those of the usual seasonal flu shots.
Dr Doraisamy Gowri, head of the Woodlands Polyclinic, said: "You have the local side-effects whereby after injection, you have a little bit of pain, redness and swelling over the injection site.
"Some patients – very rarely – do get a very severe reaction whereby they may get facial swelling, severe hyper-sensitive reaction. That is applicable for all vaccines and is rare."
The vaccination is currently available only for those 18 years old and above. It will be introduced to younger people, pending results of ongoing clinical trials, said the Health Ministry (MOH).
MOH has secured one million doses of the H1N1 vaccine. It has presently received 250,000 doses and the full delivery is expected by year-end.
- CNA/so
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