Enhanced Subsidies for Nationally Recommended Vaccinations and Childhood Developmental Screening

        As part of our efforts to better protect Singaporeans from vaccine-preventable diseases and to reduce the risk of outbreaks in the community, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will enhance subsidies for vaccinations recommended under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) and National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) at all Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioner (GP) clinics and polyclinics from 1 November 2020. 

2.     All eligible Singaporean children will also receive full subsidies for childhood developmental screening at all CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics, so that they may receive the necessary developmental assessments together with their childhood immunisations from their family doctor.  

Inclusion of varicella, influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines into the NCIS

3.          From 1 November 2020, the following vaccines will be added to the NCIS to better protect children against various vaccine-preventable diseases: 

   a) Two types of varicella-containing vaccines will be available for the prevention of chickenpox: 

       i) combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine; and 
       ii) monovalent varicella vaccine.

     b) Influenza vaccines for target groups of children who are at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications. 

   c) The pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine will be included to protect children with chronic or rare medical conditions who are at high risk of developing severe pneumococcal disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is in addition to the existing pneumococcal conjugate vaccines currently recommended for all young children.  

Please see Annex A for the updated NCIS. 

Enhanced Subsidy for Nationally Recommended Vaccinations and Childhood Developmental Screening 

4.         From 1 November 2020, Singaporeans will benefit from higher subsidies of between $35 to $125 for nationally-recommended vaccinations listed on the Subsidised Vaccine List (SVL) administered at CHAS GP clinics. Eligible Singaporeans need only pay the following amounts for the range of nationally recommended vaccinations at CHAS GP clinics, after government subsidies: 

       i. Eligible Singaporean children: $0 
       ii. Eligible Pioneer Generation cardholders: capped at $9 to $16 per vaccination  dose  
       iii. Eligible Merdeka Generation, CHAS Blue and Orange cardholders: capped at $18 to $31 per vaccination dose 
       iv. Other eligible adult Singaporeans: capped at $35 to $63 per vaccination dose 

5.      At the polyclinics, adult Singaporeans will receive up to 75% subsidy for NAIS vaccinations. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will also receive an additional 50% and 25% subsidy from their subsidised vaccination bills respectively. Prices after government subsidies are expected to be similar to that at the CHAS GP clinics. Please see Annex B for vaccinations listed under the NAIS.

6.        Eligible Singaporean children will also receive full subsidy for the seven childhood developmental screening milestones, at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics. 

7.          Please see Annex C for details on patient fees and subsidies. 

8.     Only selected vaccine brands listed on the SVL will be eligible for vaccination subsidies. MOH may review the listings periodically, in response to new price proposals from manufacturers, regulatory approval of new vaccines and other changes in global market conditions.

9.      As clinics may require time to procure vaccines that are required, individuals are encouraged to make appointments with their preferred clinics for their vaccinations before their visit. 

[Note: Updates to Para 5 – Higher-income Pioneer Generation (PG) or Merdeka Generation (MG) seniors receiving the nationally-recommended vaccinations may experience lower co-payment at CHAS GPs compared to at polyclinics, as vaccination bills at polyclinics are means-tested before the additional 50% PG or 25% MG subsidies are applied on the remaining bill, whereas subsidies at CHAS GPs for PG and MG seniors are fixed at a flat rate for ease of administration.]

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
13 JULY 2020