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Trial of new dengue vaccine begins recruitment for child participants in Singapore
Trial of new dengue vaccine begins recruitment for child participants in Singapore

Straits Times

time20-07-2025

  • Health
  • Straits Times

Trial of new dengue vaccine begins recruitment for child participants in Singapore

Find out what's new on ST website and app. The study's lead investigator in Singapore, Assistant Professor Chia Po Ying (left), and Dr Zhong Youjia, another investigator on the study. SINGAPORE – A phase three clinical trial is being conducted here to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new quadrivalent dengue vaccine in children aged two to 17. Developed by US-based pharmaceutical firm MSD, V181 is a single-dose vaccine that aims to provide protection against all four serotypes, or strains, of the dengue virus. Phase three clinical trials are typically the last stage of testing before a drug's details and clinical trial results are submitted to the regulatory authorities for approval. The study's lead investigator in Singapore, Assistant Professor Chia Po Ying, noted that V181 is a live-attenuated vaccine, which uses weakened versions of all four dengue serotypes. 'Using the weakened forms of all these four dengue serotypes stimulates a human immune response to create protection against dengue infection in future,' said Prof Chia, who also heads the National Centre for Infectious Diseases Research Office. The new study here hopes to recruit at least 700 healthy children between the ages of two and 17, including both those who have previously contracted dengue and those who have never had the disease, said Dr Zhong Youjia, another investigator on the study. This particular study focuses on children as they are more vulnerable to dengue and are also at a greater risk of severe infection, said the associate consultant at National University Hospital's (NUH) Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute. Side effects from the vaccine have been mild and short-lived, said Prof Chia, noting that they include muscle aches and fatigue. Children enrolled in the study will be randomly chosen to get a single shot of either the vaccine or a placebo. 'There have been no serious adverse events linked to vaccination with V181 to date, and the previous trials actually have shown a very good and favourable safety profile,' Prof Chia said. In Singapore, the study is being conducted at NUH and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which have already started recruiting participants. Only a handful of children have been recruited so far for the study here, which began in June, said Dr Zhong. A third recruitment site, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, is also in the works. As at July 12, there have been 2,816 dengue cases recorded here in 2025, according to figures from the National Environment Agency (NEA). In May, NEA noted that the number of dengue cases recorded here between January and May 2025 has dropped by about 74 per cent from the same period in 2024. Worldwide, the study aims to enrol about 12,000 healthy children, also between the ages of two and 17, who will receive either a single dose of V181 or a placebo. It aims to include more than 30 trial sites in dengue endemic areas in the Asia-Pacific, including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Developing effective dengue vaccines has been difficult as the four serotypes are effectively four different viruses, said Prof Chia. While getting infected by one serotype grants lifelong protection against that particular strain, it provides only short-term protection against the other three, she said. This short-term protection eventually wanes, she noted, adding that those who contract dengue more than once risk antibody-dependent enhancement – a phenomenon where antibodies that are generated due to a vaccine or prior infection actually increase the severity of an infection. Dr Zhong noted this can result in dengue shock syndrome, otherwise known as dengue haemorrhagic fever, a potentially life-threatening complication with symptoms including circulatory failure. Designing a dengue vaccine has been challenging as it has to take into account this phenomenon, Prof Chia said. Should the trials be successful and the vaccine meet regulatory requirements, V181 could be commercially available as early as within the next three to five years, said Dr Zhong. Dr Paula Annunziato, senior vice-president for infectious diseases and vaccines global clinical development at MSD Research Laboratories, noted that half the world's population live in areas at risk for dengue. 'If successful, V181 could provide an important single-dose option for at-risk populations, regardless of previous exposure to dengue, to help reduce the significant burden around the globe,' she said. Dengvaxia, developed by Sanofi Pasteur, is currently the only dengue vaccine approved for use in Singapore. However, it is available only for those between 12 and 45 years old who have previously been infected and poses an increased risk of causing severe dengue in those who have never been infected. In May 2024, another quadrivalent vaccine, Qdenga, received pre-qualification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) – a process that aims to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatments – with WHO recommending the vaccine's use for children aged between six and 16 in dengue-prone areas. Developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda, Qdenga was made available in Malaysia in June 2024 . Qdenga was submitted for approval here in 2022. However, the following year, the Health Sciences Authority said Takeda had withdrawn its application. The authority said then that the company could submit another application with further clinical data on the vaccine meeting the 'required safety, efficacy and quality standards for use locally'.

BMJ Physiotherapy Expands to One@Kentridge Medical Centre Adjacent to NUH
BMJ Physiotherapy Expands to One@Kentridge Medical Centre Adjacent to NUH

Associated Press

time20-07-2025

  • Health
  • Associated Press

BMJ Physiotherapy Expands to One@Kentridge Medical Centre Adjacent to NUH

Serving Kent Ridge, Clementi, Holland, and West Singapore with expert hands-on care 'We built this branch to serve patients who need continuity in care—especially right after surgery or discharge from NUH.'— Bruno Chia, Principal Physiotherapist, BMJ@One@Kentridge SINGAPORE, CENTRAL SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE, July 20, 2025 / / -- Trusted by doctors and patients across the island, BMJ Physiotherapy has quietly opened a new clinic at One@Kentridge Medical Centre, located within the National University Hospital (NUH) compound. The West-side addition, which began operations in April 2025, offers a seamless transition for post-hospital recovery and is led by seasoned physiotherapist Bruno Chia—a name familiar to many in Singapore's healthcare and sports community. 'We built this branch to serve the needs of patients who are discharged from hospital but still need continuity in care,' says Bruno. 'One@Kentridge offers a unique opportunity—we're steps away from NUH wards, yet operate as a private practice. This gives our patients flexibility, comfort, and access to hands-on, specialist-led rehabilitation.' From NUH to Home: The Missing Link in Recovery While NUH houses its own physiotherapy department, demand for musculoskeletal and post-operative rehab often stretches beyond availability. BMJ Physiotherapy's clinic at One@Kentridge fills this critical gap—providing direct access to physiotherapy within the same compound as the hospital. Whether it's a senior recovering from joint replacement surgery or a young adult with a slipped disc, BMJ's West Singapore branch is designed to support recovery with minimal downtime, allowing patients to transition from hospital to home without losing treatment momentum. Located right beside the NUH Main Building (Zone F) and accessible via Kent Ridge MRT, BMJ@One@Kentridge is also ideal for outpatient referrals from NUH doctors, private specialists, and walk-ins seeking expert care. Google Maps: Leading the Team: Bruno Chia Bruno Chia, Principal Physiotherapist at BMJ@One@Kentridge, brings more than 12 years of experience treating both hospital and private sector patients. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he is known for his calm precision, patient-centred approach, and strong communication in English, Mandarin, and Hokkien. His hospital background at Changi General Hospital (CGH) and Changi Sports Medicine Centre (CSMC) includes accolades such as: - CGH Best Service Award - Eastern Health Alliance Caring Award He has served as the official physiotherapist at: - South East Asian Games 2015 - World Rugby 7s (2014) - National Netball Super League - Singapore Inter-Varsity Taekwondo Championship Bruno is also a certified Exercise is Medicine Singapore practitioner, RockTape Instructor, and trained in vestibular physiotherapy, helping patients with dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders—an increasingly common condition among the elderly and post-concussive youth. 'Whether it's neck pain or post-op rehabilitation, my goal is to restore confidence in movement. Recovery isn't just physical—it's deeply emotional,' he adds. A Patient's Words: 'I'm Finally Pain-Free After Months' One of Bruno's patients, Ms Chye Hoon Er, shared this review after being referred by her orthopaedic doctor for lower back issues: 'I had a torn disc (L4 & L5) and was in pain for months. After just a few sessions with Bruno, I could feel the improvement. He took the time to understand my condition and tailor every session to my progress. No generic exercises—only what worked for me. I'm now feeling so much better.' This personalised care is what BMJ Physiotherapy is best known for. Each case is assessed in detail before any treatment plan is prescribed. Bruno's techniques include Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Techniques, Joint Mobilisation, and Cognitive Behavioural Approaches—all rooted in evidence-based physiotherapy. Services Available at BMJ@One@Kentridge - Post-Surgical Rehabilitation (Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Spine) - Vestibular & Balance Therapy (Vertigo, Dizziness) - Sports Injury Treatment & Performance Conditioning - Chronic Pain (Neck, Back, Shoulder) - Scoliosis Management (Children & Adults) - Muscle Weakness & Core Stability Programmes With immediate appointment availability and no referral letters required, the NUH branch is ideal for patients seeking fast, reliable, and professional physiotherapy care near the hospital. Serving West Singapore and Beyond Patients from Clementi, Holland, Bukit Timah, Buona Vista and even Jurong East have found the new clinic a welcome alternative to central locations. Its proximity to Kent Ridge MRT and bus lines makes it convenient for both weekday sessions and post-work appointments. About BMJ Physiotherapy BMJ stands for Bones, Muscles, and Joints—and that's exactly what the team specialises in. Founded by Darek Lam, former Head of Physiotherapy at Changi Hospital, BMJ Physiotherapy is a leading physiotherapy group in Singapore with a team of therapists who are mostly former athletes and experts in manual therapy, injury prevention, and long-term rehab strategies. BMJ currently operates six branches island wide: BMJ@ Marine Parade: 1 Marine Parade Central, Parkway Centre, #06-03, Singapore 449408 T: +65 6871 4352 | +65 8127 4395 BMJ@Tampines: 3 Tampines Central 1, Tampines Plaza 1, #06-05, Singapore 529540 T: +65 6871 4350 | +65 9105 6648 BMJ@Ang Mo Kio: Blk 727 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, #01-4254, Singapore 560727 T: +65 6871 4355 | +65 9183 5339 BMJ @Kovan/Hougang: Blk 204 Hougang St 21, Kovan City, #01-103, Singapore 530204 T:+65 6909 5208 | +65 9181 7290 BMJ @ Kallang Wave Mall 1, Stadium Place, Kallang Wave Mall@Sports Hub. #01-79, Singapore 397628 T: +65 6871 4363 | +65 9101 5338 BMJ@One@Kentridge (NUH): 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road, #04-03/04, One@Kentridge Medical Centre, Singapore 119082 T: +65 6572 4106| +65 8690 3630 Richard Branson Physio Asia Association email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Hospital to offer protein ice cream to patients
Hospital to offer protein ice cream to patients

Yahoo

time19-07-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Hospital to offer protein ice cream to patients

A high protein ice cream developed by clinicians to tackle malnutrition is set to be made available to older patients on nine hospital wards in Nottingham. N-ICE Cream was first offered to patients at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust as part of a trial in 2022. It will now be rolled out more widely at the Queen's Medical Centre after Nottingham Hospitals Charity agreed to fund up to £4,800 towards supplies of the ice cream and six mini freezers to store it in. Prof Opinder Sahota, consultant in ortho-geriatric medicine at NUH, said he was "delighted" to see N-ICE Cream move from a research study to a nutritional supplement product that is routinely offered to patients. "When you're not very well, trying to consume a big plate of food can be quite difficult," he added "What we also know is obviously if you don't eat, then clearly you're not going to get better. "If you don't get better, you're going to start losing muscle and losing protein." Prof Sahota said patients who struggled to eat were normally offered high protein nutritional supplement drinks. However, he added that "a lot of people just don't like" them. He told the BBC that when patients were asked what they would eat, many said "something like an ice cream would be really nice". N-ICE Cream, manufactured for NUH by Matlock Meadows Dairy Farm, contains about 14.5g of protein and is enhanced with leucine and vitamin D. The ice cream, which has been peer reviewed, comes in four flavours - vanilla, strawberry, salted caramel and mint. Prof Sahota, who has driven the N-ICE Cream project, said: "This product has been specifically developed as a nutritious muscle targeted high protein ice cream, which has been designed to address the serious problem of malnutrition and muscle weakness among older people." Nigel Gregory, chief executive of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said he was "pleased" to be able to fund supplies of the ice cream and the fridges. "We know that nutrition can be a challenge when caring for older patients, and we were very interested to learn about this innovative product," he added. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. More on this story 'Enhanced' ice cream aimed at preventing malnutrition Related internet links Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Hospital to offer protein ice cream to patients in Nottingham
Hospital to offer protein ice cream to patients in Nottingham

BBC News

time19-07-2025

  • Health
  • BBC News

Hospital to offer protein ice cream to patients in Nottingham

A high protein ice cream developed by clinicians to tackle malnutrition is set to be made available to older patients on nine hospital wards in Nottingham.N-ICE Cream was first offered to patients at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust as part of a trial in will now be rolled out more widely at the Queen's Medical Centre after Nottingham Hospitals Charity agreed to fund up to £4,800 towards supplies of the ice cream and six mini freezers to store it Opinder Sahota, consultant in ortho-geriatric medicine at NUH, said he was "delighted" to see N-ICE Cream move from a research study to a nutritional supplement product that is routinely offered to patients. "When you're not very well, trying to consume a big plate of food can be quite difficult," he added"What we also know is obviously if you don't eat, then clearly you're not going to get better."If you don't get better, you're going to start losing muscle and losing protein." Prof Sahota said patients who struggled to eat were normally offered high protein nutritional supplement he added that "a lot of people just don't like" told the BBC that when patients were asked what they would eat, many said "something like an ice cream would be really nice".N-ICE Cream, manufactured for NUH by Matlock Meadows Dairy Farm, contains about 14.5g of protein and is enhanced with leucine and vitamin ice cream, which has been peer reviewed, comes in four flavours - vanilla, strawberry, salted caramel and Sahota, who has driven the N-ICE Cream project, said: "This product has been specifically developed as a nutritious muscle targeted high protein ice cream, which has been designed to address the serious problem of malnutrition and muscle weakness among older people."Nigel Gregory, chief executive of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said he was "pleased" to be able to fund supplies of the ice cream and the fridges."We know that nutrition can be a challenge when caring for older patients, and we were very interested to learn about this innovative product," he added.

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