If you have a young infant, his or her paediatrician would have probably talked about the mandatory baby immunisation schedule in Singapore and its importance. Immunising children — especially against common childhood diseases like chickenpox, mumps or rubella — is recommended by almost all health professionals as a preventative measure against your child contracting these diseases and more.
In fact, professional health bodies and organisations such as the Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore and the World Health Organization (WHO) advocate childhood immunisations for a number of reasons.
The most important of these reasons are:
Which vaccines are mandatory in my baby immunisation schedule in Singapore?
Image source: Health Promotion Board (Singapore)
In Singapore, there are some immunisations which are mandatory for all children, while others are optional.
The vaccinations currently recommended to children in Singapore include:
- BCG
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (DTP)
- Poliomyelitis (Oral Polio Vaccine)
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).
Compulsory immunisations (except for Hepatitis B) are available for free at the local polyclinics.
Optional immunisations (Chickenpox, Influenza, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Meningococcal and Pneumococcal) are available at a fee with your doctor.
1. BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)
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Your baby will be administered an attenuated (weakened) version of the BCG virus at birth. This immunisation is to protect your baby against tuberculosis (TB).
TB was the commonest cause of death in Singapore in the first half of the twentieth century. However, the incidence of TB, as well as the number of deaths, has declined significantly in the last decade thanks to vaccination.
2. Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause severe liver damage. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. The hepatitis B vaccine is a crucial step in preventing this potentially life-threatening disease.
Your baby will be administered 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine. The 1st will be at birth, the 2nd dose at 1 month and the 3rd at 6 months.
3. Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT) Vaccine
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Your little one should receive 3 doses of the DPT vaccine from months 3-5. This 3-in-1 baby immunisation is to protect your child against Diphtheria, Whooping cough and Tetanus.
Diphtheria is a very serious disease that can make a person unable to breathe, cause paralysis, or even heart failure.
Pertussis causes repeated spells of coughing that can make it difficult to eat, drink, or breathe.
Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is caused by a bacterium that is common in the soil. When this germ gets into an open cut or wound, an unprotected person can contract tetanus, which creates serious muscle spasms that can be strong enough to snap the spine.
4. Poliomyelitis (Polio) Vaccine
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus and primarily affects young children. The virus lives in the throat and intestinal tract and is spread through contact with the stools of an infected person.
When infected, children can become paralyzed. Due to the introduction of an immunisation programme, Singapore was declared polio-free in 2000.
However, polio is still present in some countries and therefore, the risk of contracting polio is still present today. The polio vaccine used in Singapore is a live vaccine administered in a syrup form.
The first 3 doses are given when your baby is 3, 4 and 5 months old. Additional boosters are administered at 18 months, 6 and 11 years.
After immunisation against poliomyelitis, your child should observe strict personal hygiene as the virus particles are passed out through the faeces for at least 6 weeks.
Make sure he washes his hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before handling or eating food.
5. Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
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These highly contagious diseases used to be very widespread before the introduction of the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is administered when your baby is around 12 months old, with a booster at age 12.
The MMR vaccine offers protection against three significant diseases:
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Measles: Measles is highly contagious, causing symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. It can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.
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Mumps: Mumps is characterized by fever, muscle aches, and swollen salivary glands. Complications may include meningitis and orchitis (testicle inflammation).
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Rubella (German Measles): Rubella is a mild viral infection, but if a pregnant woman contracts it, it can lead to serious birth defects.
If a household member is pregnant, your doctor will recommend holding off the baby immunisation so as to prevent the mother-to-be from being exposed to the live, though weakened, virus in the vaccine.
6. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
Pneumococcal infections can easily happen because of its highly contagious nature, as the disease can be contracted from bacteria spread from person-to-person contact.
The vaccine is administered in three doses at 3 months, 5 months, and 12 months.
If your child is sick or suffering from a minor illness, your doctor may delay the PCV.
Vaccination Schedule
To ensure comprehensive protection, Singapore follows a specific vaccination schedule for infants:
- Age 2 months: DPT, hepatitis B
- Age 4 months: DPT, hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Age 6 months: DPT, hepatitis B, Hib, MMR
- Age 12 months: DPT, hepatitis B, Hib, MMR, varicella (chickenpox)
- Age 18 months: DPT booster, Hib booster, MMR booster
- Age 5-6 years: DPT booster, MMR booster
Where to Get Vaccinated
In Singapore, vaccinations are readily available at various healthcare facilities, including polyclinics, hospitals, and private clinics. It’s important to note that vaccinations at polyclinics are free for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.
Side Effects
While vaccinations are generally safe, they can sometimes cause mild side effects such as pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. Other possible reactions include fever, headache, and fatigue. Serious side effects are rare but should be discussed with a healthcare professional if any concerns arise.
Takeaway
Baby immunisation is a crucial component of ensuring the health and safety of infants in Singapore. These mandatory vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s vaccinations, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider for guidance and reassurance.
To find out more information about your baby immunisation schedule in Singapore, speak to your child’s paediatrician.
You could also have a look at the Ministry of Health website for more information.
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