SINGAPORE - Getting people who have recovered from Covid-19 to take at least one vaccine dose is a reasonable precaution, say infectious disease experts, given that not much is known about the strength of immunity from natural infection and how long this protection lasts.
What scientists know for certain is that a small number of people have been infected twice, with studies showing immunity wanes in recovered patients over time. In a way, we are regarding the actual infection as the first dose of a vaccine, therefore only one jab is needed, explained Professor Dale Fisher, a senior infectious disease consultant at the National University Hospital.
July 18, 2021
The Moderna vaccination centre in Radin Mas Community Club. Studies show immunity wanes in recovered patients over time.
SINGAPORE - Getting people who have recovered from Covid-19 to take at least one vaccine dose is a reasonable precaution, say infectious disease experts, given that not much is known about the strength of immunity from natural infection and how long this protection lasts.
What scientists know for certain is that a small number of people have been infected twice, with studies showing immunity wanes in recovered patients over time. In a way, we are regarding the actual infection as the first dose of a vaccine, therefore only one jab is needed, explained Professor Dale Fisher, a senior infectious disease consultant at the National University Hospital.
SINGAPORE - Singapore has started its journey towards living with Covid-19, with most restrictions expected to be lifted before the year ends.
What is behind this decision? What will the new normal look like? Is the timing right? Here is a look at Singapore s strategy to deal with the pandemic and how it could unfold.
Reopening with care
The restrictions are hurting the economy, said Professor Euston Quah, an economics guru at the Nanyang Technological University.
And Singaporeans are battle-weary, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said.
Everyone agrees on the need to open up, and that this must be done when the safety of people is assured.
June 28, 2021
More than 2,700 dengue cases have been reported since the start of the year.
The Straits Times
SINGAPORE - New strains of less common dengue serotypes, which are usually imported, could raise the risk of a larger outbreak, say experts.
Of the four distinct dengue virus variations, the DenV-1 and DenV-2 serotypes are most commonly seen here. The majority of infections since 2016 have been caused by DenV-2 - meaning that most recovered dengue patients would have immunity against this serotype.
However, DenV-3 and DenV-4 accounted for more than half of the dengue cases sampled here since February.
Last year saw the first DenV-3 outbreak here in three decades and a fourfold spike in DenV-4 cases, from 4.8 per cent of infections in January to 23.1 per cent by December.
The Straits Times
New strains could raise risk of larger dengue outbreak: Experts
More than 2,700 dengue cases have been reported since the start of the year.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
https://str.sg/3oGA
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