Use Medisave to cover your annual flu vaccination at Clari Health
*for those who wish to find out more about influenza, please visit this page.
While the exact influenza statistics for Singapore are difficult to find, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 5-15% of the US population contracts influenza in any given year. Extrapolating such numbers to Singapore, this means that 250,000 to 700,000 Singaporeans are getting influenza every single year.
The flu can easily be mistaken for a common cold and is often passed off an insignificant ailment. However, it is far more severe and in 2-3% of cases, can lead to severe complications that require hospitalization, including pneumonia, multiple organ failure and blood poisoning.
In extreme cases, it can even lead to death. During the 2017-18 flu season, the cDC estimated that close to 80,000 people in the USA died of flu and its complications.
The flu is highly contagious and can easily be spread to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, those in care facilities and those with chronic medical conditions, who have a higher risk of experiencing these aforementioned complications and who may have a higher risk of mortality if they do contract the disease.
The Flu Vaccine
The good news is that the toll that influenza takes on society can be minimised with the flu vaccination. Vaccinating yourself yearly against the flu drastically reduces your chances of contracting the disease. Given the disease burden of influenza on society, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH), under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), recommends that all adults receive the influenza vaccine yearly.
We offer comprehensive flu vaccination packages for individual clients, families, as well as corporate clients*. Call 8754 4101 to find out more about these packages.
*Corporate clients may send us an e-mail at mparam@202.164.42.26 or give us a call at 8754 4101 for further discounts.
Why get vaccinated?
Individuals
In 2017, a whopping 64% of Singaporeans experiencing flu-like symptoms were tested positive for the flu. Symptoms can be debilitating and can range from a high fever to body aches, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Even when it is not flu season, Singaporeans are still very much at risk of contracting the flu. This is because a majority of Singaporeans not only take part in communal living, but commute using public transportation such as MRT and buses everyday. They are therefore in close contact with each other and since the flu spreads through droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing, it is highly likely that those surrounding the infected individual will also be exposed to the flu virus. This can rapidly lead to a flu epidemic, especially during months of peak flu season.
Get your annual flu vaccination with us now to avoid experiencing debilitating symptoms and to avoid passing on the flu to more vulnerable family members.
Companies
With 5-15% of the general population affected by influenza, the cost of absenteeism related to flu is very high. Applied to Singapore, we estimate that the cost of flu, in terms of sick leave and additional health insurance costs, can be as high as SGD 50-150 per employee per year.
As such it is no surprise that Clari Health works with the HR and Corporate Health departments of companies to offer on-site flu vaccination drives where our qualified registered nurses come on site to administer flu vaccinations in the workplace. The benefit for the company are double – not only does the employee get protected, it also protects his or her fellow employee from getting infected with the flu. Productivity is increased drastically when employees are protected from such a common illness and employers can count on their employees remaining healthy throughout the year.
Use Medisave to cover your flu vaccinations
The following groups are strongly recommended to receive the flu vaccination yearly by the Ministry of Health and can subsidise their yearly flu vaccination using the Medisave 500 scheme.
- Persons aged 65 years or older;
- Persons aged 18 years and receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
- Persons who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, asthma, and heart disease;
- Persons who are immunocompromised;
- Persons receiving intermediate and long term care services;
- Women at all stages of pregnancy.
The total amount of the flu vaccine can be covered using your Medisave provided that you have sufficient balance for the year. Remember that the balance of your Medisave 500 will be reset on January 1st of every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am pregnant, can I get the flu vaccination?
Yes, the flu vaccine is recommended especially for pregnant women by the Ministry of Health under the National Adult Immunisation Scheme. As their immune systems are not functioning at their best due to their pregnancy, pregnant women are more likely to suffer severe complications from the flu. All pregnant women are advised to get the flu jab once, during each pregnancy to protect both themselves and their unborn child.
If I am over 65, can I get the flu vaccination?
Again, those above 65 are recommended in particular to receive the flu vaccine by the Ministry of Health under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule. With Singapore’s rapidly ageing population and the lowered immunity of senior citizens, mass hospitalisation of the elderly due to them being affected by severe complications of the flu is likely. However, the flu vaccination can safely be administered to them and prevent them from having to experience debilitating symptoms, complications and even mortality, at the disease’s most severe form.
Which flu vaccine do you offer?
At Clari Health, we offer the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which protects against the four most prevalent flu virus strains of the year. These include two strains of Influenza A viruses and two strains of Influenza B viruses.
The quadrivalent flu vaccine offered at Clari Health offers you protection that is far more comprehensive and effective than a flu vaccine that only protects against one or two strains. Moreover, you will also be protected during your travels to countries in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere.
Book an appointment with us now to get your yearly flu jab now. Call 8754 4101 or book online here. For corporate enquiries, you may send an e-mail to mparam@202.164.42.26.
