COVID-19 vaccination joins Singapore’s national childhood and adult immunisation schedules on Monday 12 October, the same day updated XFG vaccines start rolling out. The Ministry of Health and the Communicable Diseases Agency set the change on Wednesday, 7 October.
The jab has been offered under the National Vaccination Programme since 2020. From 12 October it sits in the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule and the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, alongside vaccines such as influenza, pneumococcal and shingles. COVID-19 still circulates and can cause severe disease, particularly in older and medically vulnerable people, and the move is meant to keep the vaccine accessible and affordable.
The updated XFG versions of Moderna/Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty will be given at more than 600 GP clinics, all polyclinics and Mobile Vaccination Team sites.
Who the schedules cover
Three groups are recommended for COVID-19 vaccination under the schedules: people aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable people aged six months and above, and residents of aged care facilities.
Healthcare workers, and people who live or work with medically vulnerable individuals, are encouraged to take the vaccine too. Anyone else aged six months and above can still get it.
In the adult schedule, people aged 60 and above are recommended the vaccine on age alone. Adults aged 18 to 59 are covered if they have a specific medical condition or indication.
The childhood schedule recommends the vaccine, followed by a dose every year, for children and teenagers up to 17 who have a specific medical condition or indication.
Doses for first-timers and returning patients
Unvaccinated children aged six months to four years get two doses, eight weeks apart. Anyone aged five and above who has never had a COVID-19 jab needs one dose.
People who have been vaccinated before get one more dose a year after their last one, and no sooner than five months after it. Immunocompromised people start with three doses instead, then move to one dose a year.
Which vaccine, and when
The Health Sciences Authority has approved both XFG formulations, which give better protection against current and emerging strains. Their safety profiles are comparable to earlier versions.
The rollout comes in two stages. From 12 October, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty is given to people aged 12 and above, and Moderna/Spikevax to everyone aged six months and above. From 2 November, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty is extended to children aged six months to 11 years.
For children aged five to 11, the 12 October Moderna rollout restores a vaccine option. The older LP.8.1 Moderna/Spikevax for ages six months to 11 years was available only until 14 August, and the LP.8.1 Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty for ages five to 11 until 30 September.
Cost and where to get it
COVID-19 vaccination stays 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, until further review.
Because the jab is free, it cannot be claimed under MediSave 500/700, or under the MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care scheme that starts on 1 January 2027, until further review.
GP appointments are booked through vaccine.gov.sg, and polyclinic slots through HealthHub. Healthier SG enrollees are encouraged to use their enrolled clinic if it offers the vaccine. Mobile Vaccination Teams keep running across the island for seniors and residents of aged care facilities, with their schedule posted at go.gov.sg/mvt-s.
