Navigating Singapore's National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS): Essential Vaccines for Your Child

In brief

• The NCIS sets out the vaccines recommended for children in Singapore from birth to 17 years of age.
• It protects against serious infections such as measles, whooping cough, polio and pneumococcal disease, and includes a yearly flu vaccine for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
• Measles and diphtheria vaccination is compulsory by law, and NCIS vaccines are subsidised for eligible Singaporean children at polyclinics and participating GP clinics.
• Please book ahead, because vaccines are kept in a strict cold chain and we order them to match appointments.
• If your child was vaccinated overseas, bring their records so we can plan any catch-up doses and update the National Immunisation Registry.

We give childhood vaccinations at our Punggol clinic. Book a vaccination appointment.

Why childhood vaccination still matters

Vaccines can feel like “more injections”, especially when your child looks perfectly healthy. In fact, childhood vaccination is one of the most powerful and proven ways to protect children from serious illness, disability and death.

Measles, whooping cough, meningitis, severe pneumonia and polio are rare in Singapore today largely because vaccination coverage is high. When vaccination rates fall, these infections come back, as other countries have seen.

Vaccinating on schedule builds your child’s immunity before they are likely to be exposed. Booster doses then keep that protection topped up through childhood and adolescence.

Understanding the NCIS – and what it means for your family

The National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) sets out which vaccines are recommended in Singapore from birth to 17 years of age, and when to give them. It covers:

• 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), for girls only, given in Secondary 1 and Secondary 2 through the Health Promotion Board’s school-based vaccination programme
• influenza (recommended yearly for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and for older children at higher risk)

Some vaccines are combined (for example, the “6-in-1” vaccine), so one jab protects against several diseases.

Measles and diphtheria vaccination is compulsory under the Infectious Diseases Act. Most parents follow the full NCIS, because it reflects the current best evidence on keeping children safe here.

The schedule is updated as new vaccines become available and disease patterns change. At each visit we confirm your child’s age, previous doses and any school-based vaccines, then advise what is due next.

Where can my child receive NCIS vaccinations – and who gets subsidies?

NCIS vaccines are subsidised for eligible children, and you do not have to use a public clinic to benefit:

• Polyclinics give NCIS vaccinations with subsidies for Singaporean children.
• Participating GP clinics, including ours, give them with the same subsidies for eligible Singaporean children, when the vaccines used are on the subsidised list.
• Private paediatrician clinics also give childhood vaccines, and many parents prefer to see a paediatric specialist for particular concerns. However, NCIS subsidies do not usually apply in private specialist settings at present, so expect to pay private rates.

Not sure if your child is eligible for subsidies with us? Our staff can check when you call.

Why we ask you to book ahead for vaccines

Vaccines are not like ordinary tablets that can sit on a shelf for years. They are biological products that must stay in a strict cold chain, at controlled temperatures, from the manufacturer to our fridge. Every dose is tracked.

Each vaccine also has an expiry date. If the date shows only a month and year (for example, “03/2026”), the vaccine is usable until the last day of that month, provided it has been stored correctly.

So we don’t overstock “just in case”, especially for less common vaccines or those given at specific ages. To reduce waste and give your child a fresh, properly stored vaccine, we:

• Monitor stock and expiry dates closely.
• Order some vaccines in batches.
• Schedule appointments so we know what to prepare each day.

That is why we ask parents to call or book online in advance. We can then:

• Confirm which vaccines are due for your child’s age and history.
• Check that we have the right brands in stock.
• Allow enough time to answer your questions, examine your child and observe them briefly after the injection.

We will always try to fit in urgent needs, such as school vaccination forms with tight deadlines. But planning ahead usually makes the visit smoother for everyone.

Children vaccinated overseas or newly arrived in Singapore

Many families move to Singapore from overseas. We often see children who had some or all of their vaccines in another country, sometimes with different combinations or schedules.

If your child was vaccinated overseas, we can:

• Review their vaccination records.
• Compare them with the current NCIS.
• Identify any gaps or differences in protection.
• Plan a catch-up schedule where needed.
• Enter their records into the National Immunisation Registry (NIR), so everything is in one place.

This takes time and clinical judgement. We verify each vaccine given (product name, dose and date), decide which doses match local recommendations, and document everything before updating the registry.

So our usual consultation fees apply when we review foreign records, plan catch-up vaccinations or update the NIR. Vaccines given at the visit may still qualify for NCIS subsidies if your child meets the criteria. The professional time to interpret overseas records is separate from the cost of the vaccine.

If you are coming from overseas, please bring:

• your child’s original vaccination booklets or certificates
• a translation if the records are not in English
• the vaccine brands used, if known

This helps us advise you clearly and avoid unnecessary repeat doses.

How we support you at Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic

We see vaccination as part of a longer journey with your family, not a series of isolated injections. At a typical vaccination visit, we:

• Check your child’s general health and that the vaccine is suitable that day.
• Review 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.
• Give the vaccine as gently as possible, with age-appropriate comfort measures.
• Advise on follow-up doses and how to keep track of the schedule.

If your child has complex medical needs or past allergic reactions, or you have strong worries about vaccination, we take the time to talk it through. Our aim is 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, has missed doses, or has moved to Singapore with overseas records, we can help. So that we have the right vaccines ready and enough time to review your child’s history, please:

• Call ahead or book online.
• Tell our staff your child’s age and the reason for the visit.
• Bring any previous vaccination documents.

Book Your Appointment Online or call either clinic (details below) to plan your child’s vaccinations or review their immunisation records with one of our doctors.

Get in touch

Punggol — 658 Punggol East, #01-04, Singapore 820658 · Tel 6312 4589

Joo Chiat — 172 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427443 · Tel 6920 1952

Email — admin@ktmc.sg

References

• Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Singapore. National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS), from birth to age 17 years. Updated 1 April 2026. PDF
• Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Singapore. Vaccinations (NCIS and National Adult Immunisation Schedule; compulsory measles and diphtheria vaccination). 2026. cda.gov.sg
• Ministry of Health, Singapore. Childhood developmental screening and childhood vaccinations (subsidies for NCIS vaccines at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics). 2026. moh.gov.sg
• Ministry of Health, Singapore. Human papillomavirus vaccination take-up rates by gender and age groups for past five years. Parliamentary reply, 12 January 2026. moh.gov.sg
• Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Singapore. National Immunisation Registry (NIR). nir.cda.gov.sg

This information is for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please see a doctor for advice about your own situation. v1.1 · October 2026 · Review due October 2028.