News & Stories

Protection from Covid-19 vaccines wanes faster among elderly: NUS study

​A recent study led by Dr Vanda Ho, a PhD student at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Associate Consultant in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at National University Hospital, suggests that senior citizens should consider receiving booster doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine regularly, as the study found that protection from the first two doses wanes faster in people over 65 due to their lower immune cell count. The study involved 29 participants who received two doses of Pfizer's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, with older adults showing a significant increase in neutralisation after the second dose but still lower than younger adults.

• Tamil Murasu, 11 April 2024, Page 1, கொவிட்-19 தடுப்பூசி வீரியம் மூத்தோரிடையே விரைவாககுறைகிறது (Covid-19 vaccine protection wanes faster among the elderly)
  

让健康人“以身试毒” 本地将展开首个冠病 “人体挑战试验” (Singapore to launch first COVID-19 human challenge study by letting healthy volunteers ‘test the poison with their bodies’)

​The Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases jointly organised a workshop on the ethics of human challenge studies and how they can be conducted locally. Prof Jerry Menikoff, CBmE, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said there are different regulations, principles and guidelines behind such trials to ensure the safety of the subjects, as well as the Institutional Review Board to review the research.

• Shin Min Daily News, 8 April 2024, Page 5, 研究阻断冠病传播疫苗: 人体挑战试验 志愿者低于四成 (Research on vaccine to block coronavirus transmission: Less than 40% of volunteers in human challenge trial)
  

国大研究： 年长者欠缺免疫细胞影响疫苗接种效果 (NUS study: Lack of immune cells in older adults affects effectiveness of vaccine)

​A study led by doctoral student Dr Vanda Ho from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Associate Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, has found that the efficacy of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was not as robust in older adults compared with younger individuals, likely due to the ageing immune system and a scarcity of specific immune cells.

The study is a collaborative effort with researchers from the Division of Infectious Diseases under the Department of Medicine at National University Hospital, the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

New CEO for Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital

​On 1 April, A/Prof Dan Yock Young takes over as Chief Executive Officer of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital from Dr Quek Lit Sin. Prof Yeoh Khay Guan, Chief Executive, National University Health System, expressed appreciation to Dr Quek for leading the healthcare team at the integrated Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital to not only augment national efforts against COVID-19, but also press on with various community partnerships to strengthen care for the residents. As the new Chief Executive Officer, A/Prof Dan shared that Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital will leverage the strong integration within the community to transform and advance healthcare, to meet the needs of both staff and residents.

• Tamil Murasu, 30 March 2024, இங் டெங் ஃபோங் பொது மருத்துவமனை, ஜூரோங் சமூக மருத்துவமனைக்கு புதிய தலைமை நிர்வாக அதிகாரி (Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital appoint new CEO)

言论： 让本地大学里也有辽阔蓝天 (Forum: Fostering “blue sky” research in our universities)

In a joint commentary with co-author Asst Prof Leong Sai Mun from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre for Cancer Research and the Department of Pathology at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, they talked about Dr Katalin Karikó, a biochemist and researcher, who is best recognised for her pivotal role in advancing mRNA technology, notably evident in the development of COVID-19 vaccines. 

Her career underscores the lengthy and demanding nature of research. The authors said universities can enhance their support for novel, “blue sky” research ideas across all disciplines by ensuring equitable funding and exposure opportunities alongside more mainstream research areas.

Long COVID in kids hard to pinpoint

​Post-COVID Rehabilitation Clinic services are run at National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Dr Lim Jeong Hoon, Senior Consultant, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, said these clinics had 190 patient visits in 2023, a drop from 250 in 2022. The outpatient Paediatric Infectious Diseases clinic under National University Hospital has seen 10 to 15 young patients with long COVID to date, according to Dr Chan Si Min, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital.

Ms Jessica Law, Senior Physiotherapist, Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital, explained how vestibular rehabilitation helps patients like 10-year-old Sophie, who suffered from headaches, double vision and issues with balance after getting long COVID. Dr Chan added that in Sophie's case, the dizziness and balance issues are likely neurological symptoms of long COVID.

• The Straits Times Online, 13 March 2024, Long Covid left a 10-year-old unable to walk without support
  

Long COVID in kids hard to pinpoint

Post-COVID Rehabilitation Clinic services are run at NUH and NTFGH. Dr Lim Jeong Hoon, Senior Consultant, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, NUH, said these clinics had 190 patient visits in 2023, a drop from 250 in 2022. The outpatient Paediatric Infectious Diseases clinic under NUH has seen 10 to 15 young patients with long COVID to date, according to Dr Chan Si Min, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, KTP-NUCMI, NUH. 

Ms Jessica Law, Senior Physiotherapist, Department of Rehabilitation, NUH, explained how vestibular rehabilitation helps patients like 10-year-old Sophie, who suffered from headaches, double vision and issues with balance after getting long COVID. Dr Chan added that in Sophie's case, the dizziness and balance issues are likely neurological symptoms of long COVID.

• The Straits Times Online, Long Covid left a 10-year-old unable to walk without support

On 10-year-old Sophie's journey with long COVID

​Reports based on an earlier ST feature highlighted the experience of 10-year-old Sophie who suffers from long COVID. She started a therapeutic regimen in November 2022 that included innovative virtual-reality sessions at NUH aimed at restoring her balance. By March 2023, she took her first steps unaided.

Pregnant women unlikely to pass on COVID-19 to their newborns

​Pregnant women in Singapore have a low chance of passing on COVID-19 to their newborns, a study by KKH, SGH and NUH has found. This is likely attributed to the higher vaccination rate among the pregnant population.

Low COVID-19 transmission rate from moms to newborns

​Pregnant women in Singapore have a low chance of passing on COVID-19 to their newborns, a study by KKH, SGH and NUH has found. This is likely attributed to the higher vaccination rate among the pregnant population.

NUS study shows parents who has more self-control and less financial stress have children who are stronger mentally

​An NUS study found that parents who exhibit higher levels of self-control and face less financial stress tend to use less harsh punishments with their children. This results in children who are more emotionally resilient and mentally empowered, particularly during adversities like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, led by Dr Chen Luxi and Prof Jean Yeung Wei-Jun from the Human Potential Translational Research Programme at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, tracked over 2,600 young children in Singapore. The findings underscore the critical role of parents in shaping children's emotional well-being and emphasise the importance of wider community support.

Parents with self-control, who don't use harsh punishments tend to have emotionally resilient kids: NUS study

​An NUS study found that parents who exhibit higher levels of self-control and face less financial stress tend to use less harsh punishments with their children. This results in children who are more emotionally resilient and mentally empowered, particularly during adversities like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, led by Dr Chen Luxi and Prof Jean Yeung Wei-Jun from the Human Potential Translational Research Programme at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, tracked over 2,600 young children in Singapore. The findings underscore the critical role of parents in shaping children's emotional well-being and emphasise the importance of wider community support.

• The NewsSG, 28 February 2024, Parents with self-control, who don’t use harsh punishments tend to have emotionally resilient kids: NUS study
  
  

• Malay Mail, 27 February 2024, National University of Singapore study: Parents with self-control, who don’t use harsh punishments tend to have emotionally resilient kids
  

Over 7m Covid-19 deaths recorded, but actual fatalities may be three times higher: WHO

​The World Health Organisation disclosed that the official COVID-19 death toll, exceeding seven million, may actually be closer to 21 million. However, Prof Dale Fisher, Group Chief of Medicine at National University Health System, cautioned that while it might appear as though a greater percentage of people were again succumbing to COVID-19, case reporting would affect accuracy. He highlighted that mortality rate can increase if the denominator (number of cases) is inaccurate and underestimated due to unreported cases.

துவாழ்வு நரம் உறுப்பு தாளம் (Organ donation gives new life)

​A/Prof Shridhar Ganpathi Iyer, Senior Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, and Surgical Director of the Adult Liver Transplantation Programme, NUCOT, said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of people coming forward to donate organs has dropped. He said the average waiting time in Singapore for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor is nine years. NUH patients Satya and Diksha Anand have kidney failure. Diksha had dialysis at NUH Children’s Kidney Centre three times a week for nearly four hours each time. In 2018 when Diksha was 10, she received kidneys from a deceased donor. Satya still undergoes peritoneal dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.

Pastor, 59, brought safely back to S’pore after 3 months fighting for his life in South Korea hospital

​A 59-year-old Singaporean pastor fell critically ill after contracting COVID-19 during a mission trip to South Korea. Senior Minister of State for National Development and Communications and Information Tan Kiat How described the effort to transport the patient back to Singapore as "Herculean" and thanked NUH and SGH for their support.