Vaccination is not just for babies and young children. Adults also benefit from vaccination against certain preventable diseases.
You may visit our vaccination clinics for a broad range of vaccines listed below. Remember to make an appointment before you visit us.
Chickenpox Vaccine
Chickenpox [also known as "Varicella"] is a common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but can be serious in infants and older adults. The chickenpox virus spreads from person to person through the air, or by contact with the fluid from the blisters on the body.
The chickenpox vaccine protects you from this disease. Some people will still catch chickenpox despite being vaccinated. However, their disease will be a mild form with few blisters, compared to people who did not take the vaccine.
Chickenpox vaccination should be used with caution if you come into regular contact with pregnant women [who have never had chickenpox or have never received vaccination], or people with a weak immune system. This is because in rare cases, the vaccine can cause small spots and blisters to appear on your body and these are infectious.
If you are pregnant, you should not take the chickenpox vaccine. After vaccination, you should wait three months before getting pregnant.
Two doses of chickenpox vaccine are required and the interval depends on the brand of vaccine being used.
Influenza Vaccine
Influenza is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus, which is spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions.
The influenza vaccine protects you against influenza. There are many different types of influenza viruses, and the circulating strains change constantly. Therefore, you are recommended to get a vaccination every year.
Only one dose is required and it takes two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination. Children who have not been vaccinated previously against influenza will require two doses with an interval of four weeks.
The influenza vaccine is recommended for the elderly, frequent travellers, and patients with diabetes, chronic heart disease or respiratory illnesses.
High-risk individuals may use Medisave to pay for this vaccine.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. You may catch it when you are in close contact with people infected with the virus or when you eat food or drink water contaminated with the virus.
Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent Hepatitis A. Although not compulsory, blood screening for Hepatitis A virus may be done before vaccination. The vaccination consists of two doses which are given six months apart.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The Hepatitis B virus causes Hepatitis B, which is another type of serious liver disease. You may catch it when you come into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.
Hepatitis B vaccination can prevent the disease and its serious consequences, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The vaccination is given in three doses over a period of six months. Some people may need a fourth dose [or more] to build up adequate immunity to the disease.
Pre-vaccination Hepatitis B screening is compulsory. If you have previously done your Hepatitis B screening, please bring along your blood test result. If your screening was done more than six months ago, you will have to take the test again before vaccination can be given.
Hepatitis A and B Combined Vaccine
Alternatively, you may consider taking the combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine. This vaccine offers convenience by protecting you against both viruses. You will need a pre-vaccination Hepatitis B screening before you can receive this vaccination.
The combined Hepatitis A and B vaccination schedule is the same as that for the Hepatitis B vaccination.
Human Papillomavirus [HPV] Vaccine [Cervarix]
Cervarix is a HPV vaccine recommended for females from 9 to 25 years old for the prevention of persistent infection and cervical cancer caused by HPV Types 16 and 18.
There are two types of HPV vaccines available in Singapore — Gardasil and Cervarix, but only Cervarix is available in our polyclinics. Depending on your age, the nurse will advise you on the number of doses [two or three] of the vaccine you need and the appropriate intervals.
Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine
Meningococcal vaccination is required
for Haj pilgrims and is also recommended prior to your travel to endemic areas.
The vaccination protects against ACWY strains and one dose is required every three years.
[We currently do not have appointment slots for Meningitis vaccination. To get the latest Meningococcal vaccine, kindly book your appointment after 21 Nov 22.]
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal infection is a bacterial infection that spreads through coughing, sneezing and contact with nasal fluids.
Pneumococcal vaccines provide protection against illness like meningitis, bacteremia and pneumonia. We recommend that you take the pneumococcal vaccination if you have chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart and pulmonary diseases and are above 65 years old.
There are two vaccines that can prevent pneumococcal disease: pneumococcal conjugate [PCV 13] and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [PPSV23]. Both PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccines are available in our polyclinics. All adults who are 65 years or older are recommended to take with both vaccines, and the schedule will depend on the individual's risk factors and past vaccination history.
High-risk individuals may use Medisave to pay for these vaccines.
Tetanus Vaccine
Tetanus is a disease caused by the bacteria, Clostridium tetani. You can get tetanus if dirt or manure gets into a cut or wound. Although rare, animal bites can also cause tetanus.
If you have not taken the vaccine in the past 10 years and are going to remote areas where medical care is not easily accessible, we recommend that you take the vaccine to protect yourself against tetanus.
Typhoid Vaccine
Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. Most people get typhoid from contaminated food and water. People who get typhoid usually become carriers who can spread the disease to others. The typhoid vaccine protects you from this disease. Only one dose is required every three years.
The current typhoid vaccine available in our polyclinics is suitable for adults and children above 5 years old.
General Advice for Travellers
You are encouraged to refer to the Communicable Diseases Centre
[CDC] website for the recommended vaccinations to take if you are planning a trip overseas. If your trip is of a more extensive nature, you may want to discuss on the required/or recommended vaccinations with a travel health doctor as well as seek travel health advice for the activities you are planning for your holiday. This service is available at the Travelers’ Clinics in most hospitals.
Most vaccines take time to become effective and some vaccines must be given in a series and will offer you protection only after 2 to 3 doses. It is ideal that you schedule your appointment 4 to 6 weeks before your planned departure date. Parents are advised to accompany their children and teenagers for vaccination appointments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs [MFA] encourage travellers to e-register themselves before travel. For more information and advice to travellers, please click here to access the MFA website.
Our polyclinics offering these services
Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Jurong, Pioneer, Queenstown