Why flu prevention matters as Singapore’s population ages
As the immune system weakens with age, influenza can carry greater risks. An expert explains why vaccination should be part of routine preventive care for older adults.
As Singapore's population ages, the importance of flu prevention becomes increasingly significant. Dr. Litjen Tan, chief policy and partnership officer at Immunize.org, explains that older adults are particularly vulnerable to influenza due to a weakened immune system, which can lead to severe complications like pneumonia and heart attacks.
Despite these risks, many seniors believe vaccination is unnecessary if they feel healthy. However, Dr. Tan stresses that even fit older adults should get vaccinated, as their immune systems are declining and increasing their vulnerability to infections. Traditionally, vaccination has been seen as a childhood intervention, but as populations age, experts advocate for a life-course approach to immunisation.
In Singapore, where one in four citizens will be 65 or older by 2030, this approach is becoming increasingly relevant. The National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) already recommends influenza vaccination for adults aged 65 and above, and while vaccination uptake has improved from 18% in 2020 to 42% in 2024, more than half of seniors remain unvaccinated.
Dr. Tan emphasizes that healthcare professionals must incorporate vaccination into routine healthcare conversations, making it as important as discussions about diet, exercise, and other preventive measures.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
