Our immune system produces immunity following vaccination, similar to how it would after a “natural” infection.

The difference is that you do not get sick first when you get the vaccination. Vaccines help strengthen your immune system and protect you from potentially life-threatening complications.

Hence, it is highly recommended that you and your loved ones get vaccinated according to the national immunisation schedules.

The following groups of people are more susceptible to falling seriously ill from infectious diseases:

1. a.Seniors aged 65 and above & young children
   The immune systems of the elderly may have weakened and may not function as well as they used to. For young children, their immune systems may not be fully developed yet.
2. b.People with medical conditions
   Adults and children with certain medical conditions may be recommended to get vaccinated as per National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) and National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS). This is because they may be at a higher risk of developing complications from an infection. Examples of recommended vaccinations are influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. Check with your doctor if you have medical conditions such as diabetes and heart diseases.
3. c.Pregnant women
   Vaccinations can also protect pregnant women and the fetus, and this protection can also be passed along to the child during his/her early life. It is advisable to ensure that you are up to date with the recommended vaccinations before getting pregnant to prevent what is preventable. There are also vaccinations that are recommended during pregnancy such as the Tdap (Tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis) and influenza vaccinations. Pregnant women should consult their doctor on the vaccinations they need.

All vaccines, as with any medicines, can have side effects. Mild side effects, such as low-grade fever or pain and redness at the site of injection are expected and will go away on their own. Severe side effects are very rare. Getting vaccinated is much safer than getting the infections or complications that result from these infections.

Globally, vaccines are assessed by the relevant authorities to ensure they meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy before they are approved for use, based on the best scientific evidence available. Vaccines for use in Singapore are registered with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Following approval of the vaccines, their safety is still closely monitored, and any safety concerns are investigated.

Yes. The National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) and National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) were developed based on recommendations of the Expert Committee on Immunisation, which comprises specialists from various disciplines such as infectious diseases, microbiology, paediatrics and public health as well as representatives from both the public and private healthcare institutions.

This committee regularly reviews the immunisation programmes in Singapore. The committee also closely follows the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The reason why Singapore is now free from many vaccine-preventable diseases is because of its effective and successful vaccination programme.

There are 3 convenient options:

• 1.Book a vaccination appointment at participating CHAS GP clinics via the Health Appointment System here.
• 2.Walk in or contact the clinic prior to your visit to request for the vaccination on your preferred vaccination date. Click here to find a CHAS GP clinic near you. It is recommended to contact the clinic prior to ensure that the vaccine is available to you.
• 3.Make an appointment with the polyclinic via the HealthHub login page here. You will need to login with your SingPass.

To improve the affordability and accessibility of vaccinations, there are subsidies^*# for vaccinations recommended under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics. Examples of eligible Singaporeans include adults with certain medical conditions/indications, or seniors aged 65^{^} and above, as recommended under the NAIS.

^From their 65th birthday onwards for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.

At CHAS GP Clinics
CHAS GP clinics are conveniently located across the island, making it easily accessible for you to get your recommended NAIS vaccinations near your home.

You can also book your pneumococcal vaccination appointment at participating CHAS GP clinics here. This Health Appointment System (HAS) for vaccination booking is a pilot initiative by Open Government Products.

Eligible Singaporeans can benefit from subsidies at CHAS GP clinics and use MediSave to help offset the remaining co-payment of vaccinations under the NAIS.

To receive subsidies at CHAS GPs, citizens must fulfil the eligibility criteria under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) such as age, gender and vaccination history requirements, and/or have specific medical conditions/indications. If the criteria of the NAIS are met for subsidy, the price cap is as follows:

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*Refer to the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) for recommended populations based on age, gender, medical conditions/indications and vaccination history. Only the recommended populations are eligible to receive the subsidised vaccinations.

^#Applies to certain vaccine brands. Please refer to the MOH website for the latest list of subsidised vaccine brands.

At polyclinics
Eligible adult Singaporeans will receive up to 75% subsidy for National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) vaccinations. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will also receive an additional 50% and 25% subsidy off their subsidised vaccination bills respectively.

Patients can use MediSave to help offset the remaining co-payment of recommended vaccinations under the NAIS. Patients aged 60 and above can also tap on Flexi-MediSave.

Individuals are advised to check with their polyclinic provider on their eligibility for subsidies and prices of vaccinations.

Full subsidies* for vaccinations recommended under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) are available at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics for eligible Singaporean children who fulfil the age, gender and vaccination history requirements, and/or have the medical conditions/indications as recommended under the NCIS. Getting children vaccinated as recommended under the NCIS can be done together with Childhood Developmental Screening at recommended age touchpoints, which are also fully subsidised for eligible Singaporean children at these clinics.

BCG and hepatitis B dose 1 are typically administered at birth in hospitals. These vaccines are fully subsidised for Singaporean babies born to subsidised patients at the public maternity hospitals.

*Applies to certain vaccine brands. Please refer to the MOH website for the latest list of subsidised vaccine brands.

Individuals are advised to check with their healthcare providers on their child's eligibility for subsidies.

Adults (18 years old and above)
Adults aged 65 years and above
Those aged 65 years and above are recommended to get the influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. This group is eligible for subsidies at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics. Influenza vaccination is recommended annually or per season to provide protection against influenza for the season/year. For pneumococcal vaccinations, it is generally recommended that all adults aged 65 and older get two vaccinations, one year apart for lifetime protection against pneumococcal disease.

Adults aged 18 to 64 years
For those aged 18 to 64 years, persons who meet the conditions below are recommended to get the influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and are eligible for subsidies. Individuals are advised to check with their healthcare providers accordingly.

1. ●Influenza vaccination (18 to 64 years old)
   Recommended and eligible for subsidies if the individual has any of the following conditions or indications:
   
   
   1. ⚬Chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
   2. ⚬Requires medical follow-up or hospitalisation due to chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal, neurologic, hepatic, or haematologic disorders;
   3. ⚬Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, HIV or other immunodeficiencies);
   4. ⚬Persons aged 18 years (as well as those below 18 years under the NCIS) who are receiving long term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection;
   5. ⚬Women at all stages of pregnancy; or
   6. ⚬Persons receiving Intermediate and Long Term Care (ILTC) services.
   Influenza vaccination is recommended annually or per season for all adults as the best way to prevent infection with the influenza virus, but only those with the above criteria would be eligible for subsidies.
2. ●Pneumococcal vaccination (pneumococcal conjugate 13-valent, PCV13)(18 to 64 years old)
   Recommended and eligible for subsidies if the individual has any of the following conditions:
   
   
   1. ⚬Cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leak;
   2. ⚬Anatomic or functional asplenia (including conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease and coeliac syndrome that may lead to splenic dysfunction); or
   3. ⚬Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, HIV or other immunodeficiencies).
3. ●Pneumococcal vaccination (pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent, PPSV23)(18 to 64 years old)
   Recommended and eligible for subsidies if the individual has any of the following conditions:
   
   
   1. ⚬Chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal or liver disease, or diabetes mellitus;
   2. ⚬Cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leak;
   3. ⚬Anatomic or functional asplenia (including conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease and coeliac syndrome that may lead to splenic dysfunction); or
   4. ⚬Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, HIV or other immunodeficiencies).

Children/ Adolescents (6 months to 17 years old)

1. ●Influenza vaccination
   Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children who are 6 to 59 months old (<5 years old). The vaccine is recommended annually or per season. Singaporean children that fall within this age group are eligible for full vaccination subsidies at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics.
   
   Influenza vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years old, annually or per season, but they are only eligible for the subsidies if they have a specific medical condition. Children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 with any of the following conditions are recommended to get the influenza vaccination:
   
   
   1. ⚬Chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
   2. ⚬Require medical follow-up or hospitalisation due to chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal, neurologic, hepatic, or haematologic disorders;
   3. ⚬Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, HIV or other immunodeficiencies); or
   4. ⚬Are receiving long term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection.

   For this group of children and adolescents, individuals are advised to check with their doctor if influenza vaccination is recommended and if their child is eligible for the subsidies.

2. ●Pneumococcal vaccinations
   Pneumococcal vaccination (pneumococcal conjugate 10-valent or 13-valent, PCV10 or PCV13) is recommended for all children and fully subsidised for Singaporean children at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics. Previously unvaccinated healthy children aged <5 years and older children with certain medical conditions are recommended to receive PCV. If the child has not been previously vaccinated, individuals are advised to consult their doctor to check if the vaccine is still recommended for their child.
   
   Another type of pneumococcal vaccine (pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent, PPSV23), is recommended for children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years who have any of the following medical conditions:
   
   
   1. ⚬Chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal or liver disease, or diabetes mellitus;
   2. ⚬Cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leak;
   3. ⚬Anatomic or functional asplenia (including conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease and coeliac syndrome that may lead to splenic dysfunction); or
   4. ⚬Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, HIV or other immunodeficiencies).

   For this group of children and adolescents, individuals are advised to check with their doctor if PPSV23 is recommended and if their child is eligible for the subsidies.

Medical practitioners are requested to notify the National Immunisation Registry when vaccinations are given.

Singaporeans who are born in 1996 or later are able to access their vaccination records via HealthHub with their SingPass. Those who are born earlier (i.e. before 1996) are able to access their vaccination records^ via HealthHub from November 2020 onwards. In the absence of vaccination records and if individuals are not able to recall their vaccination history, they are advised to discuss with their healthcare providers on their vaccination needs.

^ Records are only available for vaccinations under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), which were given on or after 1 Nov 2017, and notified accordingly.

In general, for individuals without fever in the past 24 hours and who have completed their isolation period, they can proceed with vaccination.

For vaccinations recommended under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), you may download the booklets here:
English | Chinese | Malay | Tamil

For vaccinations recommended under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS), you may download the booklet here:
English