Letter of the week: Need to protect ourselves against influenza
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The medically vulnerable can perhaps consider getting an influenza jab if they need to travel overseas during this critical period of time, says the reader.
ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID
I read with concern that more than 2,000 people in Singapore made appointments to get the influenza vaccine on Feb 4, one day after the shocking announcement of a Taiwanese celebrity’s death due to influenza (MOH portal, S’pore clinics see surge in demand for influenza vaccination after Barbie Hsu’s death, Feb 7).
With the recent upsurge in the number of influenza cases in cold-weather countries like Japan, South Korea and China, is Singapore prepared for any such eventuality?
There are reports of countries having a shortage of vaccines and clamouring for additional supplies.
According to a report, the number of influenza-like illness cases in Johor rose by more than 97 per cent (Johor sees sharp week-on-week rise in cases of flu-like illness, Feb 10).
As Singaporeans often travel to Johor, there is a need to protect ourselves against being infected.
The medically vulnerable can perhaps consider getting an influenza jab if they need to travel overseas during this critical period of time.
Singaporeans must do their part by putting on masks, washing hands diligently, keeping themselves abreast of any influenza news and avoiding influenza-affected areas if possible.
I trust that our Health Ministry is on top of things with the influenza situation, as it was superbly so during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Foo Sing Kheng
