Vulnerable groups encouraged to receive flu jabs amid rise in influenza cases in Singapore

Community pharmacists may also offer influenza vaccinations.

PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Published Sep 04, 2026, 10:25 PM

Updated Sep 04, 2026, 10:25 PM

Vulnerable groups like the elderly and young children are urged to get the 2026 southern hemisphere flu vaccine amid rising influenza cases in Singapore.

Northern hemisphere flu vaccines will be delayed by about two weeks, with a recommended eight-week gap between southern and northern vaccines.

People with mild respiratory symptoms should stay home, and experts advise vulnerable individuals to get both vaccines when available for better protection.

SINGAPORE – Those at higher risk of developing severe influenza infections, including the elderly above 65 and children below 5, are encouraged to get their flu jabs amid a rise in cases in Singapore at the end of August.

These vulnerable people should receive the 2026 southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccines if they have not previously received it, said the Ministry of Health and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) in a joint press release on Sept 4.

These groups, which include people with underlying medical conditions, may approach their healthcare providers to receive their jabs.

Individuals may book their influenza vaccination appointments at participating polyclinics or Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner clinics at vaccine.gov.sg/flu

CDA on Sept 1 had identified an increase in influenza cases in Singapore, while noting that the cases do not appear more severe than usual.

Seasonal influenza viruses circulate throughout the year, with observable peaks from May to August and December to March, according to national surveillance data.

Delay in seasonal vaccines

The northern hemisphere influenza vaccines meant for the influenza season running from October to March are expected to be available in early to mid-October, about two weeks later than usual, based on information on supplies from pharmaceutical companies , said the health agencies.

There is also an industry-wide delay in developing the latest seasonal vaccines, which would contain a two-strain change from the southern hemisphere seasonal vaccines.

In the meantime, the national Expert Committee on Immunisation – which includes specialists in fields such as infectious diseases, microbiology and public health – has recommended interim vaccination approaches.

Individuals in recommended groups, including the vulnerable, are advised to receive the southern hemisphere vaccines if they have not done so. They should still also receive the northern hemisphere vaccines when supply becomes available, with a minimum interval of eight weeks between doses.

Those with mild acute respiratory infection symptoms are also encouraged to stay at home until their symptoms resolve.

Lok Jian Wen is a correspondent at The Straits Times, covering international news and current affairs.

社区药剂师也可能提供流感疫苗接种服务。

图片来源：联合早报

发布于 2026 年 9 月 4 日晚上 10:25

更新于2026年9月4日晚上10:25

鉴于新加坡流感病例不断增加，当局敦促老年人和幼儿等弱势群体接种 2026 年南半球流感疫苗。

北半球流感疫苗的接种将推迟约两周，建议南北半球疫苗接种间隔八周。

出现轻微呼吸道症状的人应该待在家中，专家建议易感人群在疫苗上市后接种两种疫苗，以获得更好的保护。

新加坡——鉴于新加坡在8月底流感病例激增，建议包括65岁以上的老年人和5岁以下的儿童在内的高危人群接种流感疫苗。

卫生部和传染病机构（CDA）在9月4日的联合新闻稿中表示，这些弱势群体如果以前没有接种过2026年南半球季节性流感疫苗，就应该接种。

这些群体，包括患有基础疾病的人，可能会联系他们的医疗保健提供者接种疫苗。

民众可通过 vaccine.gov.sg/flu 网站预约在参与活动的综合诊疗所或社区健康援助计划 (CHAS) 全科医生诊所接种流感疫苗。

新加坡疾病控制署 (CDA) 于 9 月 1 日发现新加坡流感病例有所增加，但同时指出这些病例似乎并不比往常更严重。

根据国家监测数据，季节性流感病毒全年都在传播，5 月至 8 月和 12 月至 3 月是明显的流行高峰期。

季节性疫苗接种延迟

卫生机构表示，根据制药公司提供的供应信息，预计北半球流感疫苗（适用于 10 月至 3 月的流感季）将于 10 月初至中旬上市，比往年晚两周左右。

整个行业在研发最新季节性疫苗方面也存在延误，这些疫苗将包含与南半球季节性疫苗不同的两种毒株。

与此同时，由传染病、微生物学和公共卫生等领域的专家组成的国家免疫专家委员会提出了临时疫苗接种方案。

建议包括易感人群在内的推荐接种人群，如果尚未接种南半球疫苗，应尽快接种。待北半球疫苗供应充足后，他们仍应接种北半球疫苗，两剂疫苗之间至少间隔八周。

建议出现轻度急性呼吸道感染症状的人待在家中，直到症状消失。

陆建文是《海峡时报》的记者，负责报道国际新闻和时事。