Why childhood vaccination still matters
For most parents, the world of childhood vaccinations is something you encounter in the haze of new parenthood: hospital discharge summaries, reminder letters, and a series of clinic visits with tiny thighs and big tears. It can be tempting to think of vaccines as just “more injections”, especially when your child looks perfectly healthy.
In reality, childhood vaccination is one of the most powerful and proven ways we have to protect children from serious illness, disability and death. Diseases such as measles, whooping cough, meningitis, severe pneumonia and polio are thankfully rare in Singapore today largely because of high vaccination coverage. When vaccination rates fall, these infections come back – as we have seen in other countries.
The aim of vaccinating on schedule is simple: to build your child’s immunity before they are likely to be exposed, and to keep that protection topped up with booster doses through childhood and adolescence.
Understanding the NCIS – and what it means for your family
In Singapore, the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) sets out which vaccines are recommended from birth to 17 years of age, and when they should be given. It covers a range of serious infections, including:
- tuberculosis (BCG at birth),
- hepatitis B,
- diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough),
- polio,
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib),
- measles, mumps and rubella (MMR),
- varicella (chickenpox),
- pneumococcal disease,
- human papillomavirus (HPV),
- and influenza for certain age and risk groups.
Some of these vaccines are given as combination injections (for example, the “6-in-1” vaccine), so your child is protected against several diseases with a single jab.
Two diseases – measles and diphtheria – are compulsory under the Infectious Diseases Act, but in practice most parents in Singapore choose to follow the full NCIS because it reflects the current best evidence on what keeps children safe in our local context.
The schedule is updated from time to time as new vaccines become available and as our understanding of disease patterns evolves. During your visit, we will usually confirm your child’s age, previous doses and any school-based vaccines they may already have received, and then advise what is due next.
Where can my child receive NCIS vaccinations – and who gets subsidies?
One of the strengths of the Singapore system is that NCIS vaccines are subsidised for eligible children, and you do not have to choose between “public” and “private” care to benefit.
As a general guide:
- Polyclinics provide NCIS vaccinations with subsidies for Singaporean children.
- Participating GP clinics (including ours) can also provide NCIS vaccinations with the same subsidies for eligible Singaporean children, when the vaccines used are on the subsidised list.
- Private paediatrician clinics can certainly administer childhood vaccines, and many parents prefer to see a paediatric specialist for particular concerns. However, at present, NCIS subsidies do not usually apply in private specialist settings, so you should expect to pay private rates there.
For many families, especially those living or working near a GP clinic, doing vaccinations with a family physician offers a good balance: you receive nationally recommended vaccines, with NCIS subsidies where applicable, in a setting that also looks after your child (and the rest of the family) for everyday illnesses and long-term follow-up.
If you are unsure whether your child is eligible for subsidies at our clinic, our staff can check this with you when you call.
Why we ask you to book ahead for vaccines
Vaccines are not like ordinary tablets that can simply sit on a shelf for years and be reordered at short notice. They are biological products that must be stored within a strict cold chain from the manufacturer to our fridge, at controlled temperatures, and they are carefully tracked and accounted for.
Most vaccines also come with a specific expiry date. If the expiry date is given as a month and year only (for example, “03/2026”), they are considered usable right up to the last day of that month, as long as they have been stored correctly and the cold chain has been maintained.
Because of all this, we do not overstock large quantities “just in case”, especially for less commonly used vaccines or those given at specific ages. To reduce wastage and to ensure your child receives a fresh, in-date vaccine that has been stored properly, we:
- monitor our stock and expiry dates closely,
- order certain vaccines in batches, and
- schedule appointments so that we know what to prepare for each day.
This is why we strongly encourage parents to call or book online in advance for vaccination visits. When you do, we can:
- confirm which vaccines are due based on your child’s age and history,
- check that we have the correct brands in stock,
- ensure there is enough time in the consultation to answer your questions, examine your child and observe them briefly after the injection.
Of course, we will always do our best to accommodate urgent situations (for example, school vaccination forms with tight deadlines), but planning ahead usually leads to a smoother experience for everyone.
Children vaccinated overseas or newly arrived in Singapore
Singapore is an international hub, and many families move here from overseas. It is very common for us to see children who have had some or all of their vaccines in another country, sometimes using different combinations or schedules.
If your child was vaccinated overseas, we can:
- review their existing vaccination records,
- compare them with the current NCIS,
- identify any gaps or differences in protection,
- plan a catch-up schedule where needed, and
- help enter their records into the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) so that everything is consolidated in one place.
This process does take time and clinical judgment. We need to verify the vaccines given (including product names, doses and dates), consider which doses are equivalent to local recommendations, and document everything properly before we update the registry.
Because of the additional work involved, our usual consultation fees apply when we are reviewing foreign records, planning catch-up vaccinations or submitting updates to the NIR. Any vaccines administered during the visit may still be eligible for NCIS subsidies if your child meets the criteria, but the professional time needed to reconcile and interpret overseas records is separate from the cost of the vaccine itself.
If you are coming from overseas, it is very helpful to bring:
- your child’s original vaccination booklets or certificates,
- any translation if the records are not in English,
- and, if possible, details of the vaccine brands used.
This allows us to give you clearer advice and avoid unnecessary repeat doses.
How we support you at Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic
At Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic, we see child vaccination as part of a longer journey with your family, not a series of isolated injections.
During a typical vaccination visit, we will:
- check your child’s general health and suitability for the vaccine that day,
- review their previous doses and confirm what is due,
- explain in plain language what the vaccine is for and what to expect afterwards,
- answer questions about safety, side effects and long-term protection,
- administer the vaccine as gently as possible (with age-appropriate comfort measures),
- and advise you on follow-up doses and how to keep track of the schedule.
If your child has complex medical needs, past allergic reactions, or if you have strong worries about vaccination, we take the time to talk this through. The goal is not to rush you through a queue, but to help you make well-informed decisions with a doctor who knows your child and your family.
Planning your child’s next vaccination
If your child is due for vaccines under the NCIS, has missed doses, or has recently moved to Singapore with overseas records, we are happy to help you make sense of it all.
To ensure we have the right vaccines ready and enough time to review your child’s history, please:
- call ahead or book online,
- let our staff know your child’s age and what the visit is for,
- and bring any previous vaccination documents with you.
We will work with you to keep your child protected according to the national schedule, while making the process as clear and reassuring as possible.
Book Your Appointment Online or call us at 6920 1952 to plan your child’s vaccinations or review their immunisation records with one of our doctors.