ouch! final dose

Today, Joel had his 5th pneumococcal vaccination. It should be a total of 4 doses since Joel had his 1st dose when he was 3 months old - just before he came to live in Shanghai. We were pretty worried of the health/medical standards here, so we thought that it would be better for our tiny baby to get more protection against disease and illnesses.

Why 5 dose then?
Because we gave him a jab every month from March to June'08. The 4th/last dose should be administered at 12-15 months and at least 2 months after third dose. Mommy Jo and the doctor overlooked that. :(

Our PD in Singapore was so kind to help us check with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and they advised a FINAL dose after Joel turns 18 months.

So...our poor baby had to take another shot. And he cried and cried for a looong time today. He didnt cry that hard before. Maybe he knows this 5th dose was uncalled for. :_(

When we walked out (Joel still crying softly), i saw a vending machine and bought a bottle of Minute Maid orange "joo" for Joel to sip a little from it. He likes it and was happy again. Then we took the cab home and he had forgotten all about the needle prick on his left thigh.

Joel on the way home...
Busy looking at cars and playing with the TV in front of him.


This time round, i checked with a few hospitals before we found the vaccine readily available at the Shanghai International Travel Medical Center (SITMC). Becoz Joel's usual doctor at Sun-Tec Medical Center doesnt have the vaccines anymore after their American PD left. (The previous PD brought in her own vaccines coz hospitals here do not keep ready stocks) At Parkway Health (from Singapore), it takes 2 weeks to order the vaccine from UK at an estimated 2008 price of £70, £30 UK pharmacist charge, shipping charges etc. On top of that, there's their consultation fee of ¥600-1800 and nurses' injection fee of ¥200... Yes! You even have to pay extra to get the nurses to do the injection. Or you could also do it yourself. I remember that at Sun-Tec Medical, it didnt cost that much. But they will also charge twice if you need to get 2 injections done. That's how things work here if you go to hospitals for foreigners. You'll feel the pinch from the jab and the costsss involved.

Consultation Fees (excluding Vaccination Service Charge)
Parkway Health: ¥600-1800
Sun-Tec Medical: ¥300
SITMC: ¥6

What a great difference!

* Dosing Schedule for Prevenar (Pneumococcal)
4 doses if taken <6>
2 doses if taken 12-23 months
1 dose if taken 24 months-9 years