Public Health Implications from Children Missing Out on Vaccines in National Childhood Immunisation Schedule

Mr David Hoe asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has studied the public health implications of the dropout rates between primary-course and 18-month booster coverage for DTaP, Hib and polio vaccines under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule; (b) what reasons have been identified for delayed or missed boosters; and (c) whether Healthy 365 or HealthHub can be used to send targeted reminders to parents to improve timely uptake.

The vaccination coverage for the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and polio vaccines have been consistently high. Among resident children aged two years, the coverage for the primary series and the booster dose have been maintained at about 97% and 90%, respectively.

The lower coverage for the booster dose at two years of age may be due to delays in vaccination when the children are sick, or parents missing appointments. To ensure that these children are provided with the recommended vaccines, reminders are sent via HealthHub notifications and letters to parents, and catch-up vaccination is provided in primary school. By seven years of age, the coverage for the booster dose increased to about 96% or higher.

As the vaccination coverage remains high, local diphtheria, tetanus, Hib and polio cases have remained low in the past 10 years, with very few or no cases reported in young children.