Infants - GSK

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR PROTECTION? | HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?

Why is there a need for protection?

Generally, immune systems of infants are weak and need time to develop.¹ Moreover, they are exposed to thousands of germs everyday in their environment.² Timely childhood vaccination is thus important to build immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases before infants are exposed.^3,4 The Infectious Diseases Act requires every child in Singapore to be vaccinated against diphtheria and measles.⁵

How can i protect myself?

Vaccination

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 1 dose given at birth

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Acellular Pertussis (paediatric) Vaccine (DTaP)⁶ ^Ɨ
• 3 doses given at 2, 4 and 6 months respectively
• 1 booster given at 18 months

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 3 doses given at 2, 4 and 6 months respectively
• 1 booster given at 18 months

Hepatitis B Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 3 doses given at birth, 2 and 6 months respectively
• Doses 2 and 3 are recommended to be given as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine at 2 and 6 months, respectively

Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 3 doses given at 2, 4 and 6 months respectively
• 2 boosters given at 18 months and 10-11 years respectively

Influenza (INF) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• Annual vaccination or per season for all children age 6 months to <5 years (6-59 months)
• Annual vaccination or per season for children and adolescents age 5-17 years with specific medical condition or indication

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 2 doses given at 12 and 15 months respectively
• Only the dose 2 is recommended to be given as part of the MMRV vaccine

Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV10 or PCV13) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 2 doses given at 4 and 6 months respectively
• 1 booster given at 12 months

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine⁶ ^Ɨ
• 2 doses given at 12 and 15 months respectively

Everyday Protection

Other than vaccinations, it is also important for caregivers to practise good hygiene habits to protect infants from the risk of diseases. Good hygiene habits include:⁷

Regular handwashing
Keeping the environment of infants clean

^ƗAvailable vaccines are recommended in the National Children Immunisation Schedule (NCIS).⁶ These vaccinations are fully or partially subsidized for eligible Singaporean Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) at polyclinics and/or CHAS GP clinics.^8,9

References

CDC. Vaccines for Your Children: Common Questions About Vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/FAQs.html. Last accessed March 2023.
CDC. How Vaccines Strengthen Your Baby's Immune System. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/strengthen-baby-immune.html. Last accessed March 2023.
CDC. Vaccines for Your Children: Why Vaccinate. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/index.html. Last accessed March 2023.
Healthhub. Immunisation: inject to protect. Available at: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1196/baby-immunisation-inject-to-protect. Last accessed March 2023.
Healthhub. Student Immunisation and Screening Services. Available at: https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/16/growing_up_strong_healthy. Last accessed March 2023.
MOH. Nationally Recommended Vaccines. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statistics/nationally-recommended-vaccines. Last accessed March 2023.
Bliss. How can I help my baby avoid infections? Available at: https://www.bliss.org.uk/parents/about-your-baby/common-infectious-illnesses/how-can-i-help-my-baby-avoid-infections. Last accessed March 2023.
MOH. Vaccination and Childhood Developmental Screening Subsidies. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.sg/healthcare-schemes-subsidies/vaccination-and-childhood-developmental-screening-subsidies. Last accessed March 2023.
MOH. Fee Caps at CHAS GP clinics. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/default-document-library/annex-ccc11b38be28c4718bf104e5432281c74.pdf. Last accessed March 2023.