Vaccinations

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that is highly contagious and can cause long term liver damage. It is commonly transmitted when the virus is excreted in faeces and contaminates water and food . Specifically, you can contract Hepatitis A from: 

• Consuming food or water that has been contaminated 
• Raw or partially cooked food like shellfish (cockles are most common cause of Hepatitis A reported in Singapore)
• Consuming food that has been handled a person with Hepatitis A infection
• Drinking unclean water
• Needle sharing when using drugs
• Sexual contact with an infected person

The signs and symptoms of this disease are:

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent getting Hepatitis A and to avoid outbreaks of the disease. 
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You should get vaccinated for Hepatitis A if you are:

• Traveling to regions with high prevalence of Hepatitis A (e.g. areas with poor sanitation and overcrowding)
• Engage in high risk sexual behavior 
• Have chronic liver disease 

Unsure of your hepatitis A immunity? You can screen to check your immunity against hepatitis A with a simple blood test as part of your health screening. 

There are two types of vaccines available for Hepatitis A:

• Hepatitis A Single-Antigen
• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Combination

Both vaccines are administered in a series of shots that are scheduled a few months apart. It is important to complete all vaccine shots to get full protection from the disease. Hepatitis A vaccines are safe and effective. 

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that infects the liver, which can lead to diseases that may be acute or chronic. This disease infects people through contact with bodily fluids where the Hepatitis B virus is present, such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluids. Mothers can pass this virus to their babies. Persistent infection may lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer and can cause death.

While some who have Hepatitis B may not show any symptoms at all, other may develop  symptoms that include:

• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin)
• Nausea
• Vomiting

A vaccine is readily available, safe and effective for Hepatitis B prevention and control. It is important to complete a full course of 3 doses. A series of hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended to be administered to newborns with the first dose given within 24 hours after childbirth. A complete Hepatitis B vaccination provides protection from the virus for at least 20 years or even longer. 

Unsure of your hepatitis B immunity? You can screen for your immunity against hepatitis B with a simple blood test as part of your health screening. 

HPV (Human Papillomavirus), is a common virus that anyone can get through skin or sexual contact.  There are more than 100 different types of HPV, of which HPV type 16 & 18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer worldwide. HPV is also associated with vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and less commonly, anal or penile cancer in men, as well as genital warts in both men and women. It may also affect the skin on the other parts of the body like hands and face. 

The HPV vaccine lowers the possibility of contracting the virus as well as developing HPV-related cancers. The vaccine develops the body’s recognition of harmful HPV strains and boosts its immune system to combat a viral infection. 

When some HPV infects the cervix, it can cause changes in the cells that might eventually lead to cancer. Without timely intervention, this disease can result in morbidity and death. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in young women in Singapore aged 30 to 40 years old.

With the development of HPV vaccination, cervical cancer is now a highly preventable disease. 

There are 2 HPV vaccines approved for use in Singapore – Cervarix and Gardasil 9. 

Cervarix provides protection against HPV 16 and 18 which accounts for 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Gardasil 9 provides coverage against an additional 20% of cancer-causing HPV subtypes and is approved for both males and females aged 9 to 45 years old. 

The ideal age for getting the vaccine is before an individual becomes sexually active, before contact with HPV types which are part of the vaccines. In Singapore, the Expert Committee on Immunisation recommends HPV vaccination for females aged nine to 26 years old. 

However, those who are sexually active may still benefit from vaccination if you have not been exposed to the HPV types covered by the vaccine. 

If you are female above 26 to 45 years and wish to find out if you are suitable for the HPV vaccination, you are advised to speak to a doctor to understand more.

Gardasil 9 has been approved for males aged 9-45 years old. It can help protect against pre-cancerous lesions, genital warts and anal cancer caused by the HPV subtypes covered by the vaccine. 

Recent studies have highlighted that HPV is prevalent among men, and most males do not develop protective immunity after a HPV infection. HPV infection may not always show symptoms and there is also currently no approved HPV screening for men. 

If you are a male who feels that you might be at a high risk of contracting HPV, you are advised to speak to your doctor to find out more if a HPV vaccination may be beneficial for you. 

Gardasil 9 is a HPV vaccine that provides protection against certain HPV subtypes, in particular the ones most commonly associated with cervical cancer. Infection in men can cause warts as well as cancers affecting the head, neck and genitals. In women, these include:

• Certain Head And Neck Cancers
• Cervical Cancer
• Vaginal Cancer
• Vulvar Cancer

Gardasil 9 is recommended for individuals aged 9-45 for females and males. The vaccine is administered through the arm muscle in the following schedule:

While Gardasil 9 does not prevent all types of female cancers, getting vaccinated still helps in reducing your risk of cervical cancer, and keeps your body healthy and safe from infections. The vaccine should not replace regular cancer screenings and is not a treatment for HPV infections and cancers.