Singapore Baby & Child Vaccination FAQ

Singapore's National Childhood Immunisation Programme (NCIP) is the government-recommended vaccination schedule, administered by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). The NCIP covers the most important childhood diseases. Some vaccines in the programme are mandatory by law; others are strongly recommended.

All NCIP vaccines can be given at polyclinics. Private GPs and paediatricians also offer NCIP vaccines, though at a higher cost. The NCIP schedule is updated periodically by MOH - check the HPB website or use the Immunization Tracker for the latest confirmed schedule and personalised reminders. Bring your baby's yellow vaccination card to every appointment.

Yes. Under the Infectious Diseases Act (Mandatory Immunisation), diphtheria and measles vaccinations are compulsory for all children in Singapore. These are the only two diseases with mandatory vaccination status. Parents who do not vaccinate their children against these diseases without a valid medical exemption can be fined under Singapore law.

Diphtheria is covered by the DTaP (or Tdap/Td for older children) vaccines given at 3, 4, 5, and 15 months, then boosted at primary school. Measles is covered by the MMR vaccine at 12 and 15 months. Both are available free for Singapore Citizens and heavily subsidised for PRs at polyclinics.

While only two vaccines are legally mandatory, health authorities strongly recommend following the full NCIP schedule. Herd immunity depends on high vaccination rates - low vaccination rates in a community increase risk for everyone, including babies too young to be vaccinated and children with medical exemptions. Singapore maintains very high vaccination coverage (above 95% for most NCIP vaccines), which is why many of these diseases are now rare in Singapore. See the full NCIP schedule above or in the Immunization Tracker.

All vaccines on the NCIP schedule are free for Singapore Citizens at polyclinics. Permanent Residents receive significant subsidies but not full coverage. Non-residents pay the unsubsidised rate. Private GPs and paediatricians charge for NCIP vaccines even for SC children.

Book polyclinic vaccination appointments via HealthHub (app or website) or by calling your nearest polyclinic. There are 24 polyclinics across Singapore, operated by SingHealth Polyclinics or National Healthcare Group Polyclinics. The vaccination will be recorded in your child's yellow vaccination booklet and the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) - keep the yellow booklet safe as primary schools and childcare centres may request it. Use the Vaccination Scheduler to plan your child's upcoming vaccine dates and the Immunization Tracker to log what has been given.

Most vaccine side effects are mild, short-lived, and a sign that your child's immune system is responding. Normal side effects typically appear within a few hours of vaccination and resolve within 1 to 2 days. They do not indicate that the vaccine has caused harm.

Anaphylaxis after vaccination is rare - about 1 in 1 million doses - but all polyclinics are equipped to manage it. This is why your child is asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes at the clinic after each vaccination. Do not leave immediately after the jab. If anaphylaxis occurs at home after leaving the clinic, call 995 immediately.

Yes - the influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended for all babies and children from 6 months of age. Children under 5 years, and especially those under 2, are at high risk of serious flu complications including pneumonia, febrile seizures, and hospitalisation. Singapore's year-round warm and humid climate means flu circulates throughout the year, with peaks typically in June-July and November-January.

The flu vaccine is not part of the NCIP and is not free at polyclinics for children (unlike adults who may qualify for subsidies). The cost at polyclinics is approximately S$30 to S$50 per dose. Private GPs and paediatricians charge S$50 to S$80. Some employers' family healthcare benefits cover flu vaccination for dependants - check your policy.

The flu vaccine is especially important for babies under 6 months (who are too young to be vaccinated themselves) - vaccinating pregnant mothers, older siblings, grandparents, and caregivers creates a "cocoon" of protection around the infant. Singapore's polyclinics and most GPs stock the flu vaccine year-round. No appointment is usually necessary - many polyclinics accept walk-ins for flu vaccination. Annual vaccination is recommended as the influenza virus mutates each year and vaccine formulas are updated accordingly.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis) in young children worldwide. Before vaccination, rotavirus caused about 1 in 40 children to be hospitalised before age 5. The rotavirus vaccine is strongly recommended for all infants in Singapore, though it is not currently part of the NCIP and must be paid for privately.

The rotavirus vaccine is given orally (not by injection) and must be completed before 8 months of age - there is a strict upper age limit. It comes in two formulations: Rotarix (2 doses at 2 and 4 months) and RotaTeq (3 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months). Both are equally effective - your paediatrician or GP will recommend one based on what they stock and your baby's schedule.

Rotavirus is particularly common in Singapore's tropical climate, where it spreads easily in childcare centres and hospitals. Vaccinating your baby significantly reduces the risk of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis requiring hospitalisation. The vaccine must be started before 14 weeks of age - after this, the first dose cannot be given due to a small risk of intussusception (intestinal blockage) when starting late. Book the first dose at your 1-month review or 3-month review appointment at a private GP or paediatrician. Use the Vaccination Scheduler to plan the rotavirus series alongside your NCIP doses.

Do not panic - and do not restart the vaccine series from scratch. The general rule is to continue from where you left off. If your child missed the 4-month DTaP dose, give it as soon as possible and then continue with the 5-month dose on schedule (or slightly later). The minimum intervals between doses of the same vaccine must still be maintained.

Earlier is almost always better than later - a delayed vaccine still provides full protection once given. The only vaccines with strict upper age limits are the rotavirus vaccines (discussed above) and some doses of the hepatitis B series. For most other vaccines, you can catch up at any age.

If your child has missed multiple vaccines, your polyclinic nurse or paediatrician can draw up a personalised catch-up schedule. This is a routine service at all Singapore polyclinics. For immunocompromised children or children with specific medical conditions, a specialist (such as at KKH's Department of Infectious Diseases) can advise on modified schedules. Use the Immunization Tracker to identify which vaccines are overdue and the Vaccination Scheduler to plan a catch-up timeline. See also the Toddler FAQ for developmental milestone tracking alongside your vaccination schedule.

Yes - the Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine is part of the NCIP and is given at 12 months (first dose) and 15 months (second dose). It is free for Singapore Citizens at polyclinics and heavily subsidised for PRs. Two doses provide about 98% protection against chicken pox.

Many parents in Singapore ask whether it is better to just let their child get chicken pox naturally. This is not recommended. While chicken pox is usually mild in healthy children, it can cause severe bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and death - especially in babies, immunocompromised children, and adults who missed the vaccine or had it as children. The vaccine is much safer than the disease.

If your child has already had chicken pox naturally (confirmed by a doctor), vaccination is generally not needed as natural infection provides immunity. However, if there is any uncertainty about whether the rash was genuine chicken pox, vaccination is still recommended. See the Immunization Tracker to log varicella doses and the full newborn care FAQ for health monitoring in early months.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccines protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and other HPV-related cancers. In Singapore, the HPV vaccine is given to girls as part of the NCIP school vaccination programme at Primary 5 (around age 10 to 11). Two doses are given 6 months apart, administered through the school health service by HPB.

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before a person becomes sexually active - which is why it is given at Primary 5. The vaccine does not protect against existing HPV infections, only new ones. It is currently part of the NCIP for girls in Singapore. HPV vaccination for boys is not currently in the national programme but is strongly recommended by medical bodies.

Singapore currently uses Gardasil 9, which protects against 9 strains of HPV including types 16 and 18 (which cause 70% of cervical cancers) and types 6 and 11 (which cause 90% of genital warts). Regular cervical screening (Pap smear or HPV test) is still recommended even for vaccinated women, as the vaccine does not protect against all HPV strains. Singapore's national cervical screening programme recommends a Pap smear every 3 years for women 25 to 29, and an HPV test every 5 years for women 30 and above. See the baby hub and the toddler FAQ for related parenting content, and use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker to see which vaccines apply to your child's age and citizenship status.