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SINGAPORE: The H1N1 vaccine will arrive in Singapore in about two weeks. But parents should take note that the drug, which is produced by GlaxoSmithKline, has not yet been cleared for use on those below 18 years old.
Doctors said it is best to play it safe because children are likely to experience different side effects from adults, due to their developing immune systems.
Dr Terence Tan, a paediatrician, said: "Furthermore, children need different doses from adults. Just because you give an adult-vaccine to a child, accepting the side effects, you may not get the benefit you want because it could very well be that the child needs more, or less, and may not get enough protection."
But the lack of a vaccine has raised concerns because children between six months and 5 years old are in the high-risk group.
While parents cannot immunise their young children against the H1N1 virus yet, what they can do is protect them against more dangerous complications, including bacterial pneumonia.
In fact, drugs such as the pneumococcal vaccine are currently widely available for young kids.
Singapore's Health Ministry has said that priority for the H1N1 vaccine will be given to the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Concerns have been raised that some may not be able to afford the jab.
Lam Pin Min, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, said: "For some families from the low-income group who may have financial difficulty in paying for the cost of the vaccine, I believe the government will step in, using Medifund to pay for such cases."
Each dose of the H1N1 vaccine is expected to cost between S$20 and S$40, comparable to the seasonal flu jab.
- CNA/so
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