{
  "id": 5572196,
  "title": "Vulnerable groups encouraged to receive flu jabs amid rise in influenza cases in Singapore",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/vulnerable-groups-encouraged-to-receive-flu-jabs-amid-rise-in",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-04T14:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/vulnerable-groups-encouraged-to-receive-flu-jabs-amid-rise-in-influenza-cases-in-singapore"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's Ministry of Health and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) have urged at-risk individuals, such as the elderly and young children, to receive influenza vaccines as cases rise in the final days of August. These vulnerable groups, which also include those with pre-existing medical issues, should obtain the 2026 southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine, if they haven't already done so, according to a joint statement released on September 4.\n\nPeople with underlying health conditions may consult their healthcare professional for vaccination, while those interested can schedule their appointments through the vaccine.gov.sg/flu portal. The CDA reported an upsurge in influenza cases, albeit noting that the severity is not greater than typical.\n\nInfluenza viruses circulate year-round, peaking between May and August and December to March, as per national surveillance data. The northern hemisphere's seasonal flu vaccines, designed for the October to March season, are anticipated to arrive in early to mid-October, approximately two weeks later than expected, as per pharmaceutical companies' supply reports.\n\nAn industry-wide delay in manufacturing the latest seasonal vaccines, which include a two-strain modification compared to the southern hemisphere's vaccines, has been noted. The national Expert Committee on Immunisation, comprising experts from infectious diseases, microbiology, and public health, has suggested interim vaccination strategies. Recommended groups, including vulnerable individuals, are encouraged to receive the southern hemisphere vaccine if they haven't been vaccinated previously and should also receive the northern hemisphere vaccine upon availability, maintaining an eight-week gap between doses. Lastly, individuals experiencing mild acute respiratory infection symptoms are advised to remain at home until their symptoms subside.",
  "summary": "The elderly and young children should receive the southern hemisphere influenza vaccine if they have not done so.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}