Parents' Guide: National Childhood Immunisation Schedule in Singapore

Parents, here’s your guide on the vaccination schedule in Singapore for babies and children. 

Now more than ever, we have learned about the importance of vaccines in our family’s health. And we’re not only talking about the vaccine against COVID-19, but all the other vaccines against different kinds of serious diseases.

We may have better levels of hygiene and sanitation, and clean water, but if people are not vaccinated, diseases that have become uncommon such as pertussis (whooping cough), polio and measles, will quickly reappear.

As parents, one of the best things we can do for our children is to make sure they have enough protection from diseases. Because of their weak immune systems, our babies are the most susceptible to these. So it’s part of our responsibility to make sure that they have the vaccine that can help them fight off these diseases. 

It is important to be informed of the baby vaccination schedule in Singapore and check with the National Immunisation Registry on which vaccines your child should have at a certain age.

And for those worried about the side effects of vaccines, the World Health Organization states, “It is far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine.”

Vaccination Schedule in Singapore: For Babies and Children

In Singapore, the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) is the parent’s guide on what childhood vaccinations are recommended as the standard of care for protection against vaccine-preventable diseases for children 18 years old and below.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) consults with the Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI) to review vaccination policies and the inclusion of vaccines into the schedule, taking into consideration local disease burden, vaccine safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the vaccines to ensure that the national recommendations for childhood vaccination are up to date. 

As of writing, the NCIS covers vaccinations against 14 diseases – tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus, varicella (chickenpox) and influenza.

Of these, vaccinations against measles and diphtheria are compulsory for children under the Infectious Diseases Act.

This is the childhood vaccination schedule in Singapore, according to age:

At Birth

• BCG: Immunisation against Tuberculosis
• Hepatitis​ B – 1st dose: Immunisation against Hepatitis B

Do note: 2 to 3 weeks after BCG vaccination, a small red lump usually appears at the injection site. This lump may increase in size and develop into an ulcer with a crust forming over it. A scar remains after the crust falls off. This is a normal reaction and not a side effect.

1 Month

• Hepatitis B – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Hepatitis B

2 Months

• DTaP – 1st dose: Immunisation against Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
• IPV – 1st dose: Immunisation against Poliomyelitis
• Hib – 1st dose: Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine

4 Months

• DTaP – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
• IPV – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Poliomyelitis
• Hib – 2nd dose: Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine
• PCV – 1st dose:  Immunisation against Pneumococcal Disease

5 Months

• Hepatitis B – 3rd dose: Immunisation against Hepatitis B
• DTaP – 3rd dose: Immunisation against Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
• IPV – 3rd dose: Immunisation against Poliomyelitis
• Hib – 3rd dose: Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine
• PCV – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Pneumococcal Disease

5 to 6 months

• Hepatitis B – 3rd dose: Immunisation against Hepatitis B

The 3rd dose of Hepatitis B vaccination can be given with the 3rd dose of DTaP, IPV and Hib for the convenience of parents.

12 months

• MMR – 1st dose: Immunisation against Measles, Mumps & Rubella
• Pneumococcal Conjugate – 1st booster: Immunisation against Pneumococcal Disease
• Varicella – 1st dose; Immunisation against Chickenpox

Do note: Following MMR vaccination, some children develop a fever and rash 1 – 2 weeks later or swelling of the glands of the neck after 3 – 4 weeks. 

15 to 18 months

• MMR – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Measles, Mumps & Rubella
• Varicella – 2nd dose; Immunisation against Chickenpox

The 2nd dose of MMR can be given between 15-18 months.

18 months

• DTaP – 1st booster: Immunisation against Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
• IPV – 1st booster: Immunisation against Poliomyelitis
• Hib – 1st booster: Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine
• MMR – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Measles, Mumps & Rubella

The 2nd dose of MMR can be given between 15-18 months.

10 to 11 years (Primary 5)

• Tdap – 2nd booster: Immunisation against Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis
• Oral Polio – 2nd booster: Immunisation against Poliomyelitis

12 to 13 years

• HPV – 1st dose: Immunisation against Human Papillomavirus; protect against HPV types 16 and 18 that cause most HPV cancers.
• HPV – 2nd dose: Immunisation against Human Papillomavirus; protect against HPV types 16 and 18 that cause most HPV cancers.

Some Facts About the Vaccination Schedule in Singapore

As much as we want our children to complete their vaccination, we are puzzled by some of the things concerning the topic. Are walk-in vaccinations allowed in Singapore? Which vaccines are free and where can I bring my baby to avail of them? Where can I view my child’s immunisation records in Singapore?

Here is some information about child vaccination schedule in Singapore to take note of as you prepare your child to get their vaccine:

• Immunisations for Diphtheria and Measles are COMPULSORY by Law.

• The National Immunisation Registry (NIR) maintains the immunisation records for all Singapore Residents aged 18 years and under.  

  Parents can view their child’s immunisation records at the NIR website www.nir.hpb.gov.sg​. NIR uses the SingPass password for authentication.​ 

• To notify National Immunisation Registry ( NIR ) of immunisation done overseas, you should email the following documents to hpb_nir@hpb.gov.sg:- 

  1)  Child’s Birth Certificate 
  2)  Child’s Singapore Citizenship certificate/dependant Pass / Long Term Visit Pass, etc ( If a child is not born in Singapore )
  3)  Child’s Passport ( if Singapore ID document is yet to obtain )
  4)  Child’s immunisation records ( in English )
  5)  Both parents’ Singapore NRIC ( front & back )
  6)  Both parents’ contact phone no. & email address
  7)  Residential & mailing ( if different from residential ) address

• As of November 2020, all eligible Singaporean citizens and permanent residents will benefit from higher subsidies of between $35 to $125 for nationally-recommended vaccinations listed on the Subsidised Vaccine List (SVL) administered at CHAS GP clinics. For Singaporean children, all vaccines included at NCIS can be availed for free.
• Eligible Singaporeans and permanent residents can also avail of subsidised vaccines that are included in the  National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) to protect themselves against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Reminders to Parents When Getting Their Child Vaccinated

When you already have your child’s immunisation record at hand, you can consult his paediatrician on when is the best time and date to have it done, and which health centre to go to.

Moreover, only children who are physically fit and well are allowed to have their vaccine. Consider postponing your baby’s vaccine schedule and inform his doctor if your child:

• is sick
• has a medical condition e.g. fits, poor immunity, neurological disorder, abnormal development, etc
• is on medication
• has received a recent infusion of blood products e.g. immunoglobulins
• the child has allergies e.g. eggs, drugs, etc (most vaccines are safe for children with allergies, but best to confirm with your paediatrician to be sure)
• has had a severe reaction to a vaccine before
• has contact with anyone with poor immunity

When your child registers for primary school, the school will check your child’s immunisation certificates to see if he or she has completed all the recommended immunisations.

Booster doses for various immunisations for school-going children will be given at the School Health Service.

Vaccinations are generally safe. However, like all medications, some children may develop a severe reaction.

It is common to have a mild fever, sore arm or slight redness and swelling after a vaccination. You should see a doctor if your child:

• has a very high fever
• has unusual cries or cries incessantly
• has a severe rash or swelling
• has fits
• is unwell e.g. difficulty breathing, pale, fast heartbeat, etc
• is not behaving normally.

For more concerns about the childhood vaccination schedule in Singapore, don’t hesitate to talk to your child’s paediatrician or inquire at the nearest health centre about it.

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.