Take-up and Subsidy Rates for Vaccines Listed In National Adult Immunisation Schedule

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health (a) from 2020 to 2024, what is the take-up rate for vaccines listed in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule; and (b) whether there are plans to increase Government subsidies for these vaccines to improve the overall take-up rate.

The uptake for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations recommended in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) have been on a steady rise in recent years. For pneumococcal vaccination, the uptake among residents aged 65 and above increased from 22% in 2020 to 61% in 2024. The uptake for influenza vaccination in the same age group also increased from 18% to 42% over the same period.

There is already substantial financing support for vaccines in NAIS. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are free for eligible Healthier SG enrollees, and other Singaporeans receive subsidies between 50% and 87.5%. MediSave may also be used to further reduce out-of-pocket costs at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner clinics and polyclinics.