THE Health Ministry will include a vaccine against pneumococcal diseases in the National Childhood Immunisation Programme.

This is being done as extensive studies have shown it to be safe and effective, said Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament yesterday.

Countries like America, Australia and Britain have included it in their national childhood immunisation schemes, and an expert committee here recommended that Singapore follow suit, he said.

Each year, 70 children aged below five are hospitalised for pneumococcal diseases like pneumonia and meningitis, which can cause disabilities. Since 2000, seven have died.

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