Childhood Vaccination
Vaccinations are undoubtedly one of the great advances of modern medicine. Through the use of vaccines, many diseases that used to cause widespread disease and death, have largely been prevented, if not eradicated completely.
Vaccines are inactivated or dead viruses/bacteria. When introduced into the body, the person's immune system responds by producing antibodies against the disease-causing organism. This process of developing immunity by taking a vaccine is called immunization.
Children are given a series of vaccinations from birth, according to the country's specific childhood immunization schedule. There are minor variations in the timing and type of vaccinations given in different countries. This article covers the Childhood Immunization Schedule in Singapore.
MOH Scheduled Vaccinations:• BCG Vaccine |
Optional Vaccinations:• Hepatitis A Vaccine |
| Age | Vaccine | Immunisation against |
| Birth |
|
|
| 1 Month |
|
|
| 3 Months |
|
|
| 4 Months |
|
|
| 5 Months |
|
|
| 5-6 months |
|
|
| 12 months |
|
|
| 15-18 months |
|
|
| 18 months |
|
|
| 10-11 years^ |
|
|
BCG - Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine
HepB - Hepatitis B vaccine
DTaP - Paediatric diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine
Tdap - Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine
MMR - Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
OPV - Oral polio vaccine
IPV - Inactivated polio vaccine
Hib - Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine
PCV - Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
D1/D2/D3 - 1st dose, 2nd dose, 3rd dose
B1/B2 - 1st booster, 2nd booster
* The 3rd dose of Hepatitis B vaccination can be given with the 3rd dose of DTaP, IPV and Hib for the convenience of parents
** 2nd dose of MMR can be given between 15-18 months
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae type b, Poliomyelitis (5 in 1), Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), BCG and Hepatitis B vaccinations are free at polyclinics for preschoolers who are Singapore citizens.
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (Tdap), Poliomyelitis (Oral Polio), Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and BCG vaccinations are provided free in schools by the School Health Service, HPB.
With effect from 1st Dec 2011, following the recommendations by the Expert Committee on Immunization, the new recommendations for MMR vaccinations are as follows: 1st dose at 12 mths of age, and 2nd dose at 15 - 18 mth of age (brought forward from 6-7 years previously). Read more about the changes to the MMR vaccination.
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 below.
Parents can view their child's immunisation records at the NIR website using SingPass password for authentication.
Further Reading
The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
Please see your doctor for professional advice.