Which Vaccines Are Mandatory in Singapore?
Under the Infectious Diseases Act, DTaP and MMR are compulsory. No philosophical or religious exemptions are accepted. Here is what parents need to know.
What Is Legally Required
Under Singapore's Infectious Diseases Act, specific vaccinations are mandatory for all children. Failure to comply can result in fines and prevents school enrolment.
| Mandatory Vaccine | Doses Required | Deadline | Disease Protected Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) | 3 primary + 1 booster | Before 1 year for primary doses; booster by 18 months | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough |
| MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) | 2 doses | Before starting primary school (around age 6 to 7) | Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
Also in NCIP but not legally mandatory: BCG, Hepatitis B, PCV, and Varicella are strongly recommended and free at polyclinics, but they are not mandated by law in the same way as DTaP and MMR. However, Varicella is required for school entry in practice at many schools.
School Entry Rules
MOE primary schools conduct health screening for all Primary 1 students. Children who do not have the required vaccinations will not be able to enrol unless a valid medical exemption is in place.
MOE conducts a health check at the start of Primary 1. Vaccination status is verified. Children with incomplete mandatory vaccinations will be referred for catch-up with a specified timeline.
ECDA-licensed childcare centres and kindergartens are encouraged to verify vaccination records, though the legal mandate for exclusion applies mainly at school entry. Many centres require vaccination proof as a condition of enrolment under their own policies.
Consequences of not vaccinating: Under the Infectious Diseases Act, parents or guardians who fail to have their child vaccinated against mandatory diseases may face fines. More practically, an unvaccinated child cannot enrol in MOE schools without a medical exemption. In the event of an outbreak of a relevant disease, unvaccinated children may be excluded from school for the duration of the outbreak.
Medical Exemptions Only: No Philosophical or Religious Exemptions
Singapore does not accept philosophical or religious exemptions from mandatory vaccination. This is a deliberate policy choice by MOH to maintain high population immunity levels.
Medical exemptions are available in genuine cases. Examples include:
- Known severe allergy to a vaccine component (anaphylaxis history)
- Specific immune system conditions that contraindicate live vaccines (e.g. MMR, Varicella)
- Certain treatments (chemotherapy, high-dose immunosuppressants) that temporarily prevent safe vaccination
Medical exemptions must be applied for by a registered medical practitioner, not by the parent directly. The doctor submits the exemption application to MOH. Personal preference or concern about vaccine ingredients does not qualify for a medical exemption.
Outbreak Risk from Non-Vaccination
Singapore has seen measles outbreaks linked to unvaccinated individuals. The 2019 measles outbreak in Singapore involved over 100 cases, concentrated in areas with lower vaccination rates. High population immunity (above 95% for measles) is required to prevent outbreaks, which is why Singapore maintains a strong mandatory vaccination programme.
If you have concerns about specific vaccines, speak to your paediatrician or polyclinic doctor. Questions about vaccine ingredients, schedules, or interactions should be answered by a healthcare professional with your child's medical history in front of them.
Medical disclaimer: information here is for general guidance only. Vaccination requirements are set by MOH under the Infectious Diseases Act and are subject to change. For official information, visit moh.gov.sg or healthhub.sg.