SINGAPORE — COVID-19 vaccination will become part of Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule and National Adult Immunisation Schedule from Oct. 12, as the authorities move to make updated vaccines a routine part of the country’s immunisation programme.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said the move reflects the continued circulation of COVID-19 and the risk of severe illness, particularly among older and medically vulnerable people.
More than 600 general practitioner clinics, all polyclinics and Mobile Vaccination Team sites across Singapore will begin offering updated COVID-19 vaccines from Oct. 12.
Who is recommended to receive the vaccine?
Under the updated national schedules, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for:
- People aged 60 and above
- Medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above
- Residents of aged care facilities
Healthcare workers and people who live or work with medically vulnerable individuals are also encouraged to receive the vaccine to help protect those around them.
Other people aged six months and above who want to receive a COVID-19 vaccine can continue to do so. MOH said individuals can consult their doctors about the benefits of vaccination based on their circumstances.
Updated XFG vaccines to be rolled out
The change will coincide with the introduction of updated XFG Moderna/Spikevax and XFG Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines.
Both formulations have been approved by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority. MOH said they provide better protection against current and emerging COVID-19 strains, while their safety profiles are comparable with earlier versions.
From Oct. 12, the updated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available for people aged 12 and above, while the updated Moderna vaccine will be available for those aged six months and above.
The updated Pfizer vaccine will subsequently become available for children aged six months to 11 years from Nov. 2.
Different schedules for first-time vaccination
MOH has also set out the recommended dosing schedule for people receiving a COVID-19 vaccine for the first time.
Children aged six months to four years should receive two doses, administered eight weeks apart.
For those aged five and above, one dose is recommended for initial vaccination.
For people aged six months and above who have previously been vaccinated, an additional dose should generally be taken about one year after the last dose, with at least five months between doses.
Vaccination remains fully subsidised for eligible groups
COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be fully subsidised for Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders and certain short-term pass holders at participating CHAS GP clinics, polyclinics and Mobile Vaccination Team sites.
MOH said the subsidy will remain in place until further review.
However, the vaccination will not be claimable under MediSave 500/700, or under the MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care scheme from Jan. 1, 2027, until further review.
COVID-19 vaccination moves beyond the pandemic programme
COVID-19 vaccination has been offered in Singapore under the National Vaccination Programme since 2020, when the programme was introduced during the pandemic.
The decision to incorporate it into the national childhood and adult schedules marks a shift toward treating COVID-19 vaccination as part of Singapore’s longer-term immunisation framework rather than solely as a pandemic response.
MOH said COVID-19 will continue to circulate and can cause severe disease among older and medically vulnerable people, making continued vaccination important for those groups.
The national immunisation schedules are regularly reviewed based on factors including disease burden, vaccine safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
Where can people get vaccinated?
From Oct. 12, eligible people can receive the updated vaccines at more than 600 participating GP clinics, all polyclinics and designated Mobile Vaccination Team locations.
Appointments at participating GP clinics can be arranged directly with the clinics, while polyclinic appointments can be booked through HealthHub.
Mobile vaccination teams will continue operating at selected locations, particularly to make vaccination more accessible to seniors and residents of aged care facilities.
COVID-19 remains a continuing health risk
The inclusion of COVID-19 in Singapore’s national immunisation schedules comes more than six years after the country first began its COVID-19 vaccination programme.
While the public health situation is very different from the height of the pandemic, the virus has not disappeared.
MOH said COVID-19 waves will continue to occur from time to time and can still lead to severe illness, particularly among older people and those who are medically vulnerable.
The latest policy therefore focuses on maintaining protection for groups considered most at risk while keeping vaccination available to others who wish to receive it.
For Singapore, the move effectively places COVID-19 vaccination alongside other established immunisation recommendations as part of the country’s longer-term approach to managing vaccine-preventable disease.
