Emergency typhoid immunisation after the fall of Singapore 1942

Singapore surrendered to the Japanese invasion in February 1942 after its water supply collapsed. At the suggestion of the colonial medical authorities, an emergency typhoid immunisation campaign was then begun using locally manufactured vaccine from extemporary materials; within 3 months, > 600 000 had been immunised. Comparison with prewar statistics suggests that a postsurrender typhoid fever epidemic was prevented despite an increase in other enteric infections. Public health crises with disrupted supply chains may make locally manufactured vaccines of increasing importance in the future.

Automated summary

Singapore surrendered to the Japanese invasion in February 1942 after the collapse of its water supply. An emergency typhoid immunisation campaign was then initiated using locally manufactured vaccine, which successfully prevented a post-surrender typhoid fever epidemic. Disrupted supply chains during public health crises may increase the importance of locally manufactured vaccines in the future.