Key Takeaways

• Vaccines help to protect against serious infectious diseases that can cause serious long-term health complications or even death.

• Although vaccines can have side effects, they are far safer than getting infected with the diseases they protect against.

• Side effects of vaccines are generally mild and involve symptoms of illness (such as fatigue, fever, and headache) as well as soreness at the site of the injection.

• Although many vaccines are given to children as part of the standard childhood immunisation program, adults should still receive certain vaccines to help protect their health. 

• Booster doses of some vaccines are needed to help keep the body’s protection strong.

• People in higher-risk groups, such as those with chronic medical conditions that impact the immune system, may need additional doses of vaccines to protect them.

Vaccination is one of the most important things that a person can do to protect their health. Getting the recommended vaccines can help to prevent you from contracting a serious infectious disease that could potentially impact your health for years to come, or could even be fatal.

A vaccine trains your immune system to deal with pathogens (usually bacteria or viruses) that can cause serious diseases. Like all medications, vaccines can sometimes cause side effects. However, these are usually mild; serious side effects from vaccines are very rare. Getting a vaccine is much safer than getting infected with the disease that the vaccine protects you against.

While many vaccines are given in childhood, there are also a few vaccines that are beneficial for adults. Knowing which vaccines are recommended for you allows you to ensure that you receive the ones that are most likely to benefit you.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) offers a subsidy program that helps to reduce the cost of vaccines. For adults who are citizens or legal residents of Singapore, all of the recommended vaccines on the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) can be covered by this program. This means the vaccines can be accessed for free or at a very low cost to you. Our front desk staff can help you to determine your eligibility for these subsidies and how you can access them.

Influenza vaccine

Influenza is a virus that causes a respiratory illness, or an infection of the lungs. Although most people have had influenza (“the flu”) at least once in their lives and have recovered, influenza can lead to pneumonia (a serious infection of the lungs), and can even cause death in some people.

Certain groups of people are more likely to experience serious complications or to die from influenza. It’s particularly important to get vaccinated against influenza if you’re in one of these high-risk groups. This includes people who:

• Are over the age of 65

• Have a weakened immune system (due to taking certain medications, having a genetic condition, or being infected with the HIV virus)

• Have a heart or lung condition (such as asthma)

• Have a chronic disease (such as diabetes) or decreased kidney function

• Are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy

Recommended For:

It’s recommended that all adults in these groups get the influenza vaccine (the “flu shot”) each year. The vaccine changes a little bit each year, to match the specific types of influenza virus that are most common at the time.

Adults who are not in these groups can still consider getting the influenza vaccine yearly. Getting the vaccine can help to avoid the discomfort of an influenza infection, and also helps to protect others around you who may be at a higher risk if they get influenza.

Side Effects:

Some people experience side effects of the influenza vaccine that feel like a mild version of the flu, with fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headache, and nausea. This generally only lasts one to two days. There can also be soreness at the site of the injection. 

Pneumococcal vaccine

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It’s a very serious disease – in fact, pneumonia is the second most common cause of death in Singapore.

A variety of different types of bacteria and viruses can cause pneumonia. However, one particular type of bacteria, known as Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus, is the most common cause of pneumonia. In addition, pneumococcus can also cause other serious diseases, including meningitis (an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord) and bacteremia (when the bacteria are present in the bloodstream).

Pneumococcus causes more than a quarter of all cases of pneumonia, and is believed to be responsible for more deaths than any other type of infectious disease. There are around 90 different strains of pneumococcus known, and different strains tend to cause different specific diseases.

In Singapore, there are two different pneumococcal vaccines that are recommended. PCV13 protects against 13 strains of the bacteria that tend to cause pneumonia, while PPSV23 protects against 23 strains that tend to cause other diseases like meningitis and bacteremia. A person should get the PCV13 vaccine first, and then the PPSV23 vaccine later. An interval of at least 8 weeks is needed between the two vaccines, although they’re commonly given a year apart or even longer. In general, you just need one dose of each of these vaccines.

Recommended For:

Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for adults ages 65 and over. People younger than this who have chronic medical conditions that increase their risk of infection with pneumococcus, such as heart, lung or liver conditions or diabetes, may need to get these vaccines sooner.

Side Effects:

The pneumococcal vaccine sometimes causes people to feel mildly ill for a day or two, with symptoms like fatigue, headache, chills, decreased appetite, and muscle and joint pain. The injection site may also feel sore.

Shingles vaccine (chickenpox vaccine)

A virus known as the varicella zoster virus (VZV), or simply varicella, causes both chickenpox and shingles. Once you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can live inside of your nerve cells for the rest of your life. In the future, it can become reactivated and cause shingles. This results in a painful, burning sensation as well as a rash along the part of the skin associated with that nerve. In some cases, it can damage the nerve, which causes chronic pain in the area.

Shingles becomes more common as people get older. This is because the immune system doesn’t function quite as well, so it’s less able to keep the virus from reactivating.

Anyone who has had chicken pox is potentially at risk for shingles. There is a vaccine against chickenpox, which can help to prevent this infection. People who haven’t had chickenpox are not at risk for shingles, because they don’t have the virus living in their nerves. However, the chickenpox vaccine only became available in Singapore in 1996. Those who are over 60 today didn’t receive it as children, since it wasn’t yet available. 

If you haven’t previously received the varicella vaccine and have never had chickenpox, then the varicella vaccine is recommended for you. Getting chickenpox as an adult is generally more dangerous than getting it as a child, and will also create a future risk of shingles for you. You will need two doses of the vaccine spaced at least one month apart. 

The varicella vaccine can cause mild symptoms of illness like fatigue and fever, as well as soreness of the arm where the vaccine was given. Because this vaccine uses a weakened version of the virus, it can be dangerous in people who have a very weak immune system, and these people should not receive the vaccine.

Recommended For:

There is also a shingles vaccine. People who have previously had chickenpox and who are at a higher risk for shingles should consider getting this vaccine. This includes people age 50 or older, or those younger than 50 who have a condition that weakens the immune system. You will need two doses of the shingles vaccine, spaced two to six months apart.

Side Effects:

The shingles vaccine uses only a protein from the surface of the virus, rather than a weakened version of the virus itself. This makes it safer for older adults and reduces the risk of side effects. It can still cause mild illness symptoms like fever and fatigue.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Over time, hepatitis can lead to serious health problems like liver failure or liver cancer. There are a variety of different potential causes of hepatitis, but viruses are the most common cause. There are several different hepatitis viruses, which are transmitted in different ways. 

The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted sexually or through contact with contaminated blood. It’s recommended that everyone be vaccinated against hepatitis B. This is included as part of the standard childhood immunisation program, so most adults will have already had this vaccine. However, if you haven’t previously had hepatitis B vaccine, then you should consider getting this vaccine as an adult. 

Recommended For:

This is recommended for anyone under 60, or for older people who have risk factors for acquiring hepatitis B (such as working in healthcare, living with someone who has hepatitis B, or engaging in certain sexual or drug use behaviours).

Side Effects:

The hepatitis B vaccine involves three doses. After the first dose, the second one is given one month later, and the third one six months later. Some people experience mild side effects like fatigue and headache, as well as soreness or redness at the site of the injection.

MMR vaccine (MMR jab)

MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. These are three viruses that used to be very common in children. Measles can be a very serious disease, and can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to serious neurological damage or death. Mumps can lead to infertility as well as neurological damage. Rubella is particularly concerning in pregnant women, because it can cause the baby to suffer serious neurological damage or to die.

Recommended For:

The MMR vaccine is a part of the standard childhood immunisation program. Once a person has received two doses of MMR vaccine, they should have lifelong immunity to these diseases. Because of this, most adults don’t need to get the MMR vaccine.

However, there are some people who didn’t receive all of their immunisations as children. It’s recommended that they get the MMR vaccine as adults. If you’re not sure, a blood test can be done to look for antibodies against these diseases. If you have antibodies, then you’re immune and you don’t need to get the vaccine. If not, then the MMR vaccine is recommended for you.

Side Effects:

The MMR vaccine involves two doses, spaced about a month apart. It can cause fever, a mild rash, and joint pain, in addition to soreness at the injection site.

Tdap vaccine 

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. While tetanus continues to be a potential threat in people of all ages, diphtheria and pertussis are generally much less serious in adults than in children. Because of this, the Tdap vaccine contains lower levels of diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, and more tetanus vaccine.

Recommended For:

Like the MMR vaccine, a version of the vaccine against these three diseases is a standard part of the immunisation program for children. However, it’s recommended that adults get periodic booster doses. For most people, Tdap vaccination is recommended once every ten years. Those who have medical conditions that impact their immune system may need to receive the Tdap vaccine after less than ten years. It’s also recommended that all pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine once during each pregnancy, regardless of how long it’s been since they last had it.

Side Effects:

Tdap vaccination can cause fever, fatigue, and headache, along with digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, there can be swelling, pain, and redness at the injection site.

Meningococcal vaccine 

A type of bacteria known as Neisseria meningitidis, or the meningococcus, can cause a very serious disease known as meningitis (infection of a membrane around the brain and spinal cord). Meningitis can lead to death or to serious and permanent neurological damage. The same type of bacteria can also cause other diseases, including pneumonia (infection of the lungs) or septicemia (when the bacteria are present in the bloodstream).

The meningococcal vaccine protects against infection with meningococcus. It’s recommended that all adolescents receive this vaccine, and booster doses may be needed at older ages. 

Recommended For:

Meningococcus transmits more easily under crowded conditions. People who will be in conditions where the disease is more easily transmitted should receive this vaccine to protect them. They will need one dose as a booster if they’ve previously been vaccinated, or two doses spaced two months apart. Those who will be traveling to Mecca to perform the Hajj or who are about to enter college or the military should receive this vaccine. People who have conditions that impact their immune system should also get it.

Side Effects:

The meningococcal vaccine can cause mild illness symptoms like headache, fever, and fatigue, and also soreness at the injection site.

HPV vaccine

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common sexually transmitted virus. Some types of HPV cause genital warts, while other types can cause cervical cancer (cancer of the lower part of the uterus). 

Recommended For:

The HPV vaccine is also a standard part of the childhood vaccination program, and all adolescents should receive this vaccine. However, for those who have not previously had this vaccine, it’s recommended that females between ages 18 and 26 get vaccinated against HPV. Those ages 27 to 45 can consider HPV vaccination if they’ve not previously had it and if they’re sexually active outside of a mutually monogamous relationship (such as marriage). 

Side Effects:

For adults, HPV vaccination involves a three-dose series. After the first dose, the second dose is given one month later, and the third dose six months later. The vaccine can cause side effects like fever, headache, nausea, and muscle or joint pain.

Vaccine recommendations for adults in Singapore

It’s important to ensure that you’re up to date on all of your recommended vaccinations. This is one of the most powerful ways to protect your health and reduce your risk of long-term health issues or even death.

Your doctor can give you personalised advice on which vaccines are recommended for you. In general, you will then be able to receive the vaccines at the same appointment. For all of our NOVI Health clients, their doctor will review their vaccination history and recommend any vaccines that would be beneficial for them.

All Singapore Citizens who meet the criteria for vaccination under the NAIS are eligible for subsidies for nationally-recommended vaccinations at our clinic.

The following vaccines are available at our clinic:

* Price before prevailing GST

# Please present your ID and CHAS card at time of appointment for our staff to check your CHAS tier, eligibility criteria and process the claim through the MOH Healthcare Claims Portal. Prices depend on your eligibility and subsidy tier.