Compulsory Vaccination for Children

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the rationale for some vaccinations, including the pneumococcal disease vaccination, under the National Childhood and Adolescent Immunisation Schedule which are required for Primary 1 registration being chargeable for Singaporeans at polyclinics; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider making all vaccinations under the Immunisation Schedule free for Singaporeans.

To help parents defray the cost of childhood vaccinations, the use of Medisave was extended to cover the cost of all vaccinations in the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS), up to $400 per account per year from June 2013. The Government has also provided a MediSave Grant of $3,000 for all newborn Singaporeans which can be used to pay for these vaccinations.

In addition, vaccinations under the NCIS that confer strong herd immunity against the respective diseases for the whole population are offered free for citizens at the polyclinics. In doing so, we hope to encourage a higher uptake of these vaccinations and achieve adequate coverage for the population.

Parents are required to produce records of their child's immunisation certificates at Primary 1 registration, for BCG, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B, all of which are free for citizens at the polyclinics.

MOH will continue to regularly review the financing framework of the NCIS to ensure its relevance and affordability to Singaporeans.