Childhood Vaccinations Schedule Singapore: Complete Guide for Parents (2026)

The first time I brought my newborn to the polyclinic for her BCG jab, I was a wreck. She was barely a week old, I was running on approximately zero sleep, and I spent the entire wait reading the vaccine information sheet like it was a legal document. She cried for about 30 seconds after the needle, I cried quietly in the corner, and my wife told both of us to calm down.

If you're a new parent, vaccinations are one of the first things to get familiar with — right up there with figuring out feeding and surviving on no sleep. The good news? Singapore's immunisation schedule is well-structured, heavily subsidised at polyclinics, and pretty straightforward once you see the whole picture.

> Key Takeaways: > - Singapore's NCIS covers 12 vaccine types from birth to age 11 > - Diphtheria and measles are legally compulsory — everything else is strongly recommended > - Polyclinic vaccinations cost $0-$15 per visit for Singapore Citizens after subsidies > - You can use Medisave for all NCIS vaccinations > - Missed a dose? Catch-up schedules exist — don't panic > - Your child needs an up-to-date record for Primary 1 registration

The Complete Schedule: Birth to 11 Years

Bookmark this. You'll refer to it more than you think.

Birth

BCG (tuberculosis) and Hepatitis B Dose 1 — given at the hospital before discharge. The BCG jab leaves a small scar on the upper left arm. Normal.

1 Month

Hepatitis B Dose 2

2 Months

6-in-1 DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB Dose 1 (covers diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B) and Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) Dose 1

4 Months

6-in-1 Dose 2 and PCV Dose 2

6 Months

6-in-1 Dose 3, PCV Dose 3, and Influenza Dose 1 (recommended, especially for kids in childcare)

12 Months

MMR Dose 1 (measles, mumps, rubella), Varicella Dose 1 (chickenpox), and PCV Booster

15-18 Months

6-in-1 Booster, MMR Dose 2, and Varicella Dose 2

10-11 Years

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster) and HPV (two doses, for both boys and girls — the extension to boys was a significant recent update)

What's Compulsory?

Only diphtheria and measles are legally compulsory under the Infectious Diseases Act. Parents who don't vaccinate can face fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment. That said, practically all NCIS vaccines are strongly recommended by MOH, and most parents follow the full schedule. Diseases like pertussis and pneumococcal can be serious in young children.

Your child's immunisation record gets checked during Primary 1 registration with MOE. Incomplete records won't block registration, but the school health service will follow up.

How Much Does It Cost?

Polyclinic (Subsidised) — Singapore Citizens

• Consultation: $0 (bundled with vaccination visit)
• NCIS vaccines: $0-$15 per visit after subsidies
• Non-NCIS vaccines (e.g. rotavirus): $50-$100 per dose

Private Paediatrician / GP

• Consultation: $30-$80
• NCIS vaccines: $50-$150 per dose
• Non-NCIS vaccines: $80-$150 per dose

If cost matters, polyclinics are hard to beat. The trade-off is longer wait times. Many parents do the first year at the polyclinic (when visits are frequent) then shift to a private paediatrician — or vice versa. We stuck with the polyclinic for all of them and it was fine, just bring a book for the wait.

For the bigger picture on baby costs, see our cost of raising a child guide.

Using Medisave

You can use Medisave for all NCIS vaccinations under the Flexi-Medisave scheme ($500-$700/year for outpatient expenses). At polyclinics, use it directly at the counter with your NRIC and child's birth certificate. At private clinics, confirm they're approved for Medisave first.

Also check out the Baby Bonus and CDA guide and the full government grants list — there's more financial support than most parents realise.

What If You Miss a Dose?

Life happens. Maybe you were overseas, the baby was unwell, or the appointments just slipped through the cracks. Don't panic and don't feel guilty. We missed a dose at 6 months because our daughter had a fever that week, and the polyclinic sorted it out at the next visit no drama.

Key things: 1. Most vaccines can be given late. Your polyclinic or paediatrician will work out a catch-up schedule. 2. You don't restart a series. If you got Dose 1 but missed Dose 2, you continue from where you left off. 3. The Health Booklet tracks everything. That little blue book is your child's official record. Bring it to every appointment and keep it safe. 4. School entry catches things up. MOH's School Health Service screens all P1 students and flags missing vaccinations.

To schedule a catch-up, book at your nearest polyclinic or call your paediatrician. The National Immunisation Registry (NIR) also tracks records electronically via HealthHub.

Side Effects: What's Normal

Most side effects are mild and resolve within 24-48 hours:
• Mild fever (37.5-38.5°C) — common after 6-in-1 and MMR
• Redness or swelling at injection site
• Irritability — totally normal in babies
• Mild rash — occasionally 1-2 weeks after MMR or varicella

See a doctor if: high fever above 39°C lasting more than 48 hours, excessive crying for 3+ hours, or any signs of severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, face/lip swelling). These are very rare — roughly 1 in a million doses.

Parent tips from experience:
• Give infant paracetamol (as advised by doctor) for post-jab fever
• Nurse or feed your baby right after — comforting for them
• Skip bathing for a few hours after to keep the site clean
• Cool compress on the injection site helps with swelling

Vaccination Records: HealthHub and the Health Booklet

Singapore's National Immunisation Registry digitally records every vaccination at approved providers. Access via HealthHub app or website with Singpass.

Handy when:
• You lose the Health Booklet (happens more than any parent wants to admit)
• You need records for school registration
• You're switching between polyclinic and private clinic
• You need proof for travel

Pro tip: Take a photo of your Health Booklet pages after each visit. Store it in a shared family album.

Optional (Non-NCIS) Vaccines Worth Considering

• Rotavirus — protects against severe diarrhoea in babies. Oral, given at 2 and 4 months. $80-$150/dose at private clinics. Not subsidised.
• Hepatitis A — recommended for travel to higher-risk regions. Two doses from 12 months.
• Meningococcal — recommended for adolescents, especially before overseas study.

Discuss with your paediatrician based on your family's lifestyle and travel plans.

Practical Tips From Parents

1. Book polyclinic appointments online via HealthHub — walk-in waits can be brutal 2. Bring a comfort toy or snack for toddlers — distraction is your best friend 3. Stagger optional vaccines if your child tends to react strongly 4. Keep a simple spreadsheet of dates and upcoming doses — Google Calendar reminders work well 5. Don't compare timelines with other parents — a week or two behind due to illness is fine

If you're also sorting out preschool, many centres ask for vaccination records during enrolment. Our preschool comparison guide covers what documentation you'll need.

---

At ParentLah, we know keeping track of jabs, subsidies, and medical appointments is overwhelming — especially on three hours of sleep. You're doing fine. And if you need more practical guides on navigating parenthood in Singapore, from saving for education to finding enrichment classes, we're here.

---

Sources

1. Ministry of Health — National Childhood Immunisation Schedule 2. HealthHub — Child Vaccination 3. Ministry of Health — Infectious Diseases Act (Compulsory Vaccination) 4. CPF Board — MediSave for Vaccinations 5. Early Childhood Development Agency — Childcare Licensing Requirements