Singapore Flu Vaccination: Doctors Recommend EV71 Immunisation for Children and Adults

Children’s specialist doctors emphasise the importance of vaccination to enhance protection against the risk of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), commonly known as Singapore flu. This measure is critical as the causative virus can trigger severe complications in the central nervous system.

Paediatrician Handayani (Sp.A) explained that HFMD spreads via droplets, direct contact, or contaminated surfaces. Among the various causative agents, Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the most concerning.

“Very resilient due to its lack of a protective envelope (non-envelope virus), it can survive on surfaces for up to a full day,” she said, citing Antara on Friday, 29 May.

She warned that EV71 can attack the central nervous system. If untreated, this could lead to serious complications such as dehydration, seizures, aseptic meningitis, and encephalitis, which may cause permanent cognitive impairment. Transmission rates are high, with one infected child potentially spreading the virus to 12 others.

As a preventive measure, Dr Handayani recommends EV71 vaccination for children aged six months to 71 months, administered in two doses one month apart.

Similarly, Visakha Revena Irawan, an internal medicine specialist at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, added that adults can also receive the vaccine to create “cocooning protection” for infants and toddlers not fully immunised.

In addition to vaccination, medical experts urge the public to consistently maintain clean and healthy living habits (PHBS). Additional recommended measures include: