HELP!! Newborn needs vaccination and no idea where to get

[andromedia33]

Hi all, I apologize if similar topics have already been posted before, but I now have limited access to the Internet so looking for a quick answer. Thanks in advance!!

So my family just relocated from U.S.. I have a 3-month-old and she has quite a couple of followup shots for the standard vaccines. I'm now clueless as to where to get them as the healthcare system in Singapore seems so different.

My husband's company told him that to see a pediatrician we need referrals from a GP (general physician?) in order to get covered by the insurance. So I went down to one of the listed clinics they gave us and asked, but before even consulting a doctor I was told at the counter that they do not deal with infants.

I can't help but worrying a lot because my baby's next shots are due in just 3 weeks. I'm clueless as to where to get those. PLEASE HELP!!!

So my questions are:
1. Do GPs take care of infant vaccines at all? Or do we have to get referred to a pediatrician to get my newborn vaccinated?
2. If I get a referral, am I likely to be able to make an appointment with a pediatrician in 3 weeks? Or is the waiting time much longer in general?
3. Would it work if I just walk into one of the clinics/hospitals to request vaccination for my newborn? If so, what clinics/hospitals can I go to? And roughly how expensive is it without insurance coverage?
4. Will I be able to request for a specific pediatrician to be referred to if I find good online reviews? Or is it random assignment?

Once again I apologize for the bucket load of questions. Any advice is highly appreciated!!

[bro75]

Try polyclinics. These are government operated clinics. There are a many branches across singapore. They are able to check infants but waiting times are longer than private clinics. You can setup an appointment or just walk in.

Now to your questions.
1. I do not know if GPs can do infant vaccination but the polyclinics I mentioned can do infant vaccination. Also many private clinics are part of a corporation, did you ask the counter for a referral to an affiliated paediatrician?
2. I do not know about the paediatrician referral process.
3. I think polyclinics and some paediatricians accept walk-in vaccinations. The paediatrician my daughter sees accepts only walk-ins at his clinic although the waiting time is long. Take a look at the link below for a list of child clinics and call to see if you can walk-in:
http://netsenger.com/afterhours/Paediatricians.htm
4. Not sure. GPs may refer you to a paediatrican their clinic is affiliated with.

[taxico]

short answer: go to raffles hospital/medical and they will sort you out. (i do not work for raffles and am not affiliated to them)

long answers:

GPs should (theoretically and practically) treat any human patient. you just need to let the counter staff know you are there to simply get a referral letter for your baby - that he/she is not sick and does not need immediate medical attention.

1. Do GPs take care of infant vaccines at all? Or do we have to get referred to a pediatrician to get my newborn vaccinated?

some GPs might, but private clinics generally don't maintain all vaccines you might need at the time you need them. you would be well served by locating a paed that you can go to regularly.

2. If I get a referral, am I likely to be able to make an appointment with a pediatrician in 3 weeks? Or is the waiting time much longer in general?

3 weeks - maybe. depends on the doctor's popularity. walk-ins are also possible if there is an actual specialist in the clinic. your best bet is to find a paed located "in the heartlands" (as opposed to a specialist medical centre) they are generally more accommodating. their address is usually "Blk 123 #01-3456" or somesuch.

3. Would it work if I just walk into one of the clinics/hospitals to request vaccination for my newborn? If so, what clinics/hospitals can I go to? And roughly how expensive is it without insurance coverage?

look at my first sentence and reply to #2.

i quote http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2920

What Are "5-in-1" and "6-in-1" Vaccines?

These newer childhood vaccine formulations combine vaccines against 5 or 6 diseases into a single injection.

The 5-in-1 injection combines vaccines against Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT), Polio and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) in 1 injection.

The 6-in-1 injection combines vaccines against Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT), Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) and Hepatitis B in 1 injection.

if i remember correctly, your cost will be well under $400 for either (split over a few visits). others are at an extra cost.

PCV (pneumococcal) is ~$150. hep A ~$70, hep B ~$30 (same price as twinrix at ~$100). rotavirus ~$90, infuenza (at the right age) ~$25, chicken pox ~$75. MMR ~$130. consultation charges are extra.

4. Will I be able to request for a specific pediatrician to be referred to if I find good online reviews? Or is it random assignment?

don't trust online reviews. be warned that referrals are based on loose affiliation/fees, and does not mean much.

find a paed you feel comfortable with. read up on whether ALL vaccines listed above are necessary...

i am not a parent. so i can't answer much else. good luck!

edit: i found this GP's website that lists prices for some of the above. i do not work for them and am not affiliated to them.

http://www.shimclinic.com/singapore/vaccine

[taxico]

i forgot to mention:

BCG... i cannot remember how much it costs as they are generally free for singaporeans and given (d1) at birth.

your baby might have to go for a mantoux test (TST) a few days prior, to ascertain if your child is suitable for it...

taxico, M.D.

[Steve1960]

Have to admit I never gave this any thought. When we arrived here I found a GP surgery in the block next to ours, nice and convenient. Registered, showed the doctor our daughters vaccination records and he took over from there.

After our baby was born 3 months ago we were referred to a paediatrician by the hospital but his surgery was a PITA to get to so we stopped visiting him and went back to our GP who now takes care of both girls.