What To Expect: A Guide to Vaccinations Required for Children In Singapore

What To Expect: A Guide to Vaccinations for Children in Singapore

Embarking on the journey of parenthood is a remarkably fulfilling experience, and among the most important decisions you’ll make for your little one is ensuring they receive the necessary vaccinations early in their life. 

Vaccines for children play a crucial role in protecting them from various diseases and illnesses that could pose life-threatening risks. In Singapore, vaccines are required for children from just after birth, providing them with a strong foundation for a healthy, happy life.

Here is a guide on vaccinations for children and what you can expect on Singapore’s childhood immunisation.

How Childhood Vaccines Are Made and How They Work

There are five ways by which vaccines are made:

1. Live viruses composing of weakened viruses that don’t reproduce and cause illness once injected into the body (E.g. Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Rotavirus, Varicella)
2. Viruses that are made inactive using a chemical (E.g. Polio, Hepatitis A, Influenza)
3. A part of the virus is removed and used in the vaccine to cause an immune response (E.g. Hepatitis B)
4. Toxins that are taken from the bacteria and are rendered inactive by a chemical, so that they are turned into a toxoid  (E.g. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)
5. A part of a bacteria’s coating is linked with harmless protein to form a conjugate vaccine (E.g. Haemophilus influenzae Type B or Hib and Pneumococcal conjugate)

When your little one receives baby vaccinations, their body produces antibodies. These antibodies help your baby build immunity to the disease without getting sick.

As they get older, their immune system will be primed and ready to fight off any real exposure to the virus or bacteria, preventing it from developing the infection or keeping the symptoms from being as severe.

Why It’s Important to Get Baby Vaccination in Singapore?

Vaccines for children are important in developing defences against diseases that can be detrimental to your little one’s health and overall wellbeing. Here are some reasons why vaccinations for your child are essential:

• Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to exist, so your child needs to have protection against them.
• Vaccinations can save your child’s life against diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.
• Vaccines prevent the development of complications if the child gets the disease.
• Vaccinations for babies are proven to be safe and very effective.
• Vaccinations can help prevent the spread of diseases to others.
• Vaccinations can help save you time and money from expensive medical expenses if your child gets sick.
• Vaccinations can safeguard future generations of children as they build immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Compulsory Singapore Childhood Vaccines

In Singapore, every child needs to get vaccines at every age, starting from birth to ages 10 to 11. These vaccinations serve to protect your child from vaccine-preventable infectious diseases by building their immunity against these infections.

The baby vaccination schedule is a crucial aspect of ensuring the health and well-being of children. The Singapore Ministry of Health has established the childhood immunisation schedule that outlines the mandatory vaccinations for babies and children. This schedule serves as a guide for parents and healthcare providers to ensure that children receive the necessary immunisations at specific ages.

Here’s the Singapore childhood immunisation schedule in Singapore based on age:

Reference: Ministry of Health, Singapore

Parents may also opt for combination injections. These types of formulations combine vaccines for 4,5, or 6 diseases, and are safe and effective. Among them are:

• The MMRV vaccine against Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (also known as chickenpox).
• The 5-in-1 injection against Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT), Polio and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)
• The 6-in-1 injection against DPT, Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) and Hepatitis B

Parents can also talk to their respective paediatricians about vaccinations for Rotavirus, Hepatitis A and Meningococcus.

Side Effects of Vaccinations for Children

It’s natural for parents to have concerns about baby vaccinations, but rest assured that the risk of developing serious side effects from a vaccine is significantly lower than the risk of your child getting sick with a vaccine-preventable disease.

Here’s a gentle overview of some common side effects of vaccinations:

• DPT-Polio and Influenza: You might notice some redness and swelling at the injection site that goes away after a few days. A mild fever could also develop within a day or two after the injection.
• MMR Vaccine: Your little one may experience a runny nose, mild cough, skin rash, fever, or swollen salivary glands for a short while. Your child may develop a fever 5 – 7 days after the vaccination. Remember that the MMR vaccine provides vital protection against serious diseases, and extensive scientific research has NOT found a conclusive link between MMR and autism.
• Pneumococcal Vaccines: Similar to DPT-Polio, these vaccines for children may cause redness, slight swelling at the injection site, fatigue, and fever that subsides within a few days.
• BCG Vaccinations: A small boil might develop at the injection site 3 to 4 weeks after the injection, but it will disappear in 8-12 weeks. If the boil bursts, simply cover it with gauze to prevent infection.

Always remember that these side effects are generally mild and short-lived, while the protection your child gains from vaccinations is invaluable.

The Bottomline

As parents, it’s natural to want the best protection for your little one. Getting vaccines for children is a vital step towards safeguarding them against harmful infectious diseases. Although the law specifically mandates vaccinations for measles and diphtheria, there are other vaccines that play a crucial role in ensuring your child’s overall well-being.

If you’re curious about additional vaccines or have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to consult your trusted paediatrician. They are there to provide you with the necessary guidance and information, helping you make informed decisions to keep your child happy and healthy.

Reviewed by Dr Janice Wong on 27 May 2023. 
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