Newborn Doctor Visits & Vaccination Schedule Singapore
Singapore's full well-baby check schedule for the first 3 months - What happens at each visit, what vaccines are given, and what questions to bring.
Well-Baby Check Schedule: 0–3 Months
| Visit | Where | What's assessed | Vaccines given |
|---|---|---|---|
| At birth | Hospital (KKH, NUH, TMC, etc.) | APGAR score, full physical exam, hearing screen (AABR), newborn metabolic screening (heel-prick), pulse oximetry, jaundice check | BCG, Hepatitis B (dose 1) |
| Day 2–4 (hospital discharge) | Hospital | Final check before discharge - Weight, jaundice level, feeding review | - |
| ~2 weeks (optional) | Polyclinic or private paed | Weight check, jaundice follow-up, feeding assessment if concerns | Hepatitis B (dose 2) at some centres |
| 1 month | Polyclinic | Weight, length, head circumference, developmental check, feeding and sleep review, social smile check | Hepatitis B (dose 2) |
| 2 months | Polyclinic | Growth review, 2-month milestones, feeding, sleep, parental wellbeing screen | Pentavalent dose 1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib), Pneumococcal (PCV13) dose 1 |
| 3 months | Polyclinic | Growth, social smile, head control in prone, feeding, 3-month milestones | Pentavalent dose 2, Pneumococcal dose 2 |
Schedule follows Singapore's National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS). Track all upcoming vaccines with the Immunization Tracker →
Vaccine Details: 0–3 Months
BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin)
When: At birth - Given as a single injection in the left upper arm
Protects against: Tuberculosis (TB) - Particularly important in Singapore where TB incidence remains notable
A small red bump forms at the injection site over 2–4 weeks, then ulcerates and heals into a round scar. This is completely normal and expected.
Hepatitis B (HepB)
When: Dose 1 at birth; Dose 2 at 1 month
Protects against: Hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver disease and liver cancer
Singapore has mandatory HepB vaccination. Babies born to HepB-positive mothers also receive HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) at birth for immediate protection.
Pentavalent vaccine (DTaP-IPV/Hib)
When: Doses at 2 and 3 months, with boosters later
Protects against: 5 diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Given by injection. Common reactions: injection site redness or swelling, mild fever, fussiness. Paracetamol (at age-appropriate dose) can be given post-vaccine.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13)
When: Doses at 2 and 3 months, with boosters
Protects against: Streptococcus pneumoniae - A leading cause of meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections in infants
Subsidised under the Singapore National Immunisation Schedule. Available at polyclinics.
What to Expect: The 1-Month Polyclinic Visit
What the nurse/doctor checks
- Weight, length (lying flat), and head circumference - Plotted on growth chart in Child Health Booklet
- Fontanelle (soft spot) size and tension
- Eyes: red reflex test for cataracts
- Hip stability: Barlow and Ortolani test for developmental dysplasia
- Testes in boys - Ensuring both have descended
- Feeding: breastfeeding or formula volumes, frequency
- Social smile (may not be present yet at exactly 4 weeks)
- Parental wellbeing - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale may be administered
Questions to bring to the 1-month visit
- ?Is my baby's weight gain on track?
- ?How much formula or how often should I breastfeed?
- ?My baby has yellow eyes / skin - Is the jaundice resolved?
- ?The umbilical cord hasn't fallen off yet - Is this normal?
- ?My baby seems very colicky - What can I do?
- ?Are these skin spots on my baby's face normal?
- ?When should I book the 2-month appointment?
- ?My baby's BCG site looks very red/large - Is this normal?
After-Vaccination Care
Normal reactions (expected)
- ✓Low-grade fever (≤38.5°C) for 24–48 hours
- ✓Fussiness and crying for 24 hours
- ✓Injection site redness, swelling, and hardness - May last several days
- ✓Reduced appetite for 24–48 hours
- ✓Increased sleepiness
Managing post-vaccine discomfort
- Paracetamol syrup: 15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours if needed (check dose with doctor)
- Extra feeds and cuddles
- Cool damp cloth on injection site if very swollen
Where to Go in Singapore
Polyclinics (subsidised - Bring NRIC)
- Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang
- Clementi, Geylang, Hougang, Jurong, Kallang
- Marine Parade, Pasir Ris, Pioneer, Punggol
- Queenstown, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, Yishun
Paediatric hospitals
- KKH Women's and Children's Hospital - 100 Bukit Timah Rd
- NUH Children's Medical Institute - 5 Lower Kent Ridge Rd
- Thomson Medical Centre - 339 Thomson Rd
- Gleneagles Hospital - 6A Napier Rd
Well-Child Visit Schedule: 5 Months to 18 Months
| Visit | What's assessed | Vaccines given |
|---|---|---|
| 5 months | Growth, rolling, reaching for objects, feeding progress, sleep | Pentavalent dose 2 (DTaP-IPV/Hib), Pneumococcal (PCV13) dose 2 |
| 6 months | Growth measurements, introduction of solids discussion, iron intake review, developmental check | Hepatitis B dose 3, Pentavalent dose 3, Pneumococcal dose 3 |
| 9 months | Crawling, standing with support, babbling, object permanence, pincer grip developing | No scheduled vaccines at this visit in most cases |
| 12 months | Walking, first words, developmental milestone review, diet and iron | MMR dose 1, Varicella dose 1 |
| 15 to 18 months | M-CHAT autism screening questionnaire, language and social review, growth | Pentavalent booster, MMR dose 2, Varicella dose 2 |
This schedule follows the Singapore National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) as maintained by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Ministry of Health (MOH). Check the HealthHub website for the current schedule as it is updated periodically.
Medisave, Subsidies, and the Red Healthbook
Medisave Grant for Newborns
Every Singaporean newborn receives a Medisave Grant of S$4,000, credited automatically to the child's CPF Medisave account. This can be used for all NCIS vaccines and approved medical expenses. You do not need to apply - it is credited once the birth is registered.
Medisave400 - vaccine claims
All vaccines on the NCIS are claimable under Medisave. The Medisave400 scheme allows withdrawal of up to $400 per Medisave account per year for approved outpatient treatments, including vaccinations. For most families, the newborn grant covers the entire childhood vaccination series.
Polyclinic visit subsidies
Polyclinic visits for children under 18 months are subsidised for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. The consultation fee is low and co-payable by Medisave. Vaccinations at polyclinics are cheaper than at private clinics. If cost is a concern, use your local polyclinic.
The red Healthbook - bring it to every single visit
The Child Health Booklet (the small red book given at discharge from hospital) is the official record of your child's vaccinations, growth measurements, developmental checks, and medical history. Every healthcare provider in Singapore uses it.
- •Bring it to every polyclinic visit, GP visit, and hospital appointment
- •Bring it to childcare registration - the centre will ask for the vaccination record
- •If you lose it, report to your polyclinic to request a replacement
- •Vaccination records are also stored in the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), but the physical booklet is still the primary document
What Happens at Every Well-Child Visit
📏 Measurements
- Weight - Plotted on the growth chart in your Healthbook
- Length (lying flat for babies, standing for toddlers)
- Head circumference - Tracks brain growth
- All three plotted against WHO growth percentile charts
🧠 Developmental Screening
- Motor skills: head control, rolling, sitting, standing, walking
- Language: sounds, words, two-word phrases
- Social: eye contact, pointing, response to name, play
- Parents asked structured questions - answer honestly
🩺 Physical Examination
- Eyes: red reflex and tracking
- Ears: response to sounds
- Heart and lungs: listened with stethoscope
- Hips: checked for developmental dysplasia at early visits
- Genitalia: testes in boys checked at each visit
💬 Parent Questions
- How is feeding going?
- How is sleep?
- Any concerns about development or behaviour?
- At postnatal visits: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for mother
Practical tips for polyclinic visits
- Book appointments online via HealthHub (healthhub.sg) or through the SingPass app - Walk-in queues can be long
- Arrive 15 minutes early for vaccination visits. Some vaccines require 15 to 30 minutes of observation after administration.
- Bring the red Healthbook to every visit without exception
- Write down your questions before you go - the appointment is short (10 to 15 minutes) and it is easy to forget things
- Bring a change of clothes for baby - there may be a nappy blowout waiting room moment
- For breastfed babies, bring a nursing cover or cardigan in case you need to feed in the waiting area
Continue the Newborn Guide: