My Child Missed a Vaccine – What Do I Do?
Catch-up is always possible for most vaccines. Minimum intervals, age-sensitive exceptions, how to check your child's vaccination status, and how to proceed.
Catch-Up Is Safe and Always Possible (With Exceptions)
For the vast majority of NCIP vaccines, missing a scheduled dose does not mean starting over. The catch-up principle is simple: give the missed dose as soon as possible and continue the series from where you left off, maintaining minimum intervals between doses.
The Good News
- You never need to restart a vaccine series that was already partially completed
- There is no upper age limit for most NCIP vaccines (except rotavirus)
- Catch-up vaccines are free at polyclinics for SC/PR children
- Polyclinic staff manage catch-up schedules routinely; bring your child's health booklet
- School entry can be postponed only if mandatory vaccines (DTaP, MMR) are not completed, but even these have catch-up pathways
Minimum Intervals Between Doses
When catching up, doses must be given at least the minimum interval apart. Giving doses too close together may reduce effectiveness. Your polyclinic nurse or PD will calculate the appropriate catch-up timing.
| Vaccine | Min Interval Between Doses | Age Limit for Catch-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | 4 weeks between doses 1 and 2; 8 weeks between 2 and 3 | No upper age limit |
| DTaP-IPV-Hib | 4 weeks between primary doses | Hib component not needed after 5 years; DTaP continues |
| PCV13 | 4 weeks between primary doses | Catch-up available up to 5 years |
| MMR | 4 weeks between doses | No upper age limit |
| Varicella | 4 weeks between doses | No upper age limit (not if child already had chickenpox) |
| Rotavirus | 4 weeks between doses | STRICT: first dose before 15 weeks; series complete before 24 to 32 weeks |
Age-Sensitive Vaccines: The Critical Exception
The rotavirus vaccine is the most time-sensitive vaccine in the entire childhood schedule. Unlike other vaccines where catching up is flexible, rotavirus has hard deadlines:
Rotavirus Hard Deadlines
- First dose must be given before the child reaches 15 weeks of age
- For Rotarix: full series must be completed before 24 weeks (6 months)
- For RotaTeq: full series must be completed before 32 weeks (8 months)
- If your baby has passed 15 weeks without the first dose, the vaccine cannot be started. This window cannot be reopened.
The reason for these strict deadlines is that rare cases of intussusception (bowel obstruction) were observed when the earlier generation of rotavirus vaccine was given to older infants. The current vaccines are safer but the age limits remain as a precaution. If your baby is approaching 15 weeks and has not yet received rotavirus vaccine, contact your PD immediately.
Checking Your Child's Vaccination Status
Vaccination records are kept in your child's health booklet (the red immunisation record book given at birth) and also in the national health records system.
- Health booklet: Physical record kept by parents. Bring this to every vaccination visit and every school health screening.
- HealthHub app: Log in with Singpass to view your child's vaccination history via the National Immunisation Registry (NIR). This is the most reliable digital record.
- Polyclinic: Staff can pull up records and confirm what has been given and what is outstanding. Walk in with your child's birth cert or NRIC.
If your child's vaccinations were given overseas: Bring the overseas vaccination records to your polyclinic or PD for review. The doctor can assess which Singapore NCIP vaccines your child still needs based on what was already given and whether the vaccines are equivalent to Singapore standards.
Medical disclaimer: this article is for general informational purposes only. Catch-up vaccine schedules should be planned with a healthcare professional who can review your child's full vaccination history. Verify current NCIP catch-up guidelines at healthhub.sg.