Eligible S’poreans, PRs can get subsidised rates for shingles, pneumococcal vaccines from Sept 1

SINGAPORE – From Sept 1, eligible Singaporeans and permanent residents can get vaccinated against shingles and pneumococcal disease at polyclinics and general practitioners under subsidised rates.

The two vaccines – Shingrix and PCV20 – will be included in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, which allows for subsidies and MediSave usage, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Communicable Diseases Agency in a joint statement on Aug 29. But MediSave can be used to pay for the shots only from the middle of 2026.

Shingrix is the only vaccine now registered with the Health Sciences Authority for the prevention of shingles.

It provides more than 90 per cent protection against the disease, although its effectiveness may be lower for older people and those with a weakened immune system.

An estimated 30,000 people suffer from the illness each year, and people can get shingles more than once, with only those who have had chickenpox being at risk.

The full course of the vaccine now costs around $900.

In response to queries, a spokesperson for Raffles Medical, which runs clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas), said it observed about a 10 per cent to 20 per cent drop in vaccination numbers for shingles over the last few months.

Dr Lim Wee Peng, medical director at Parkway Shenton, said the general practitioner chain also saw a slight dip in shingles vaccinations in March 2025, following MOH’s announcement the previous month. This was largely due to patients aged 60 and older choosing to delay their jabs to benefit from the subsidies.

Parkway Shenton has since launched an online form for those interested in getting vaccinated against shingles after Sept 1.

PCV20 protects against the more common bacterial strains responsible for pneumococcal disease, which can cause a range of infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and sinus and middle-ear infection. The disease can lead to serious illness and even death. Compared with the existing PCV13 now available in Singapore, PCV20 protects against an additional seven pneumococcal strains.

Giving a breakdown of the subsidised rates, the authorities said the shingles vaccine will cost eligible Singaporeans between $76 and $300 for the full two doses at general practitioner clinics under Chas. How much each person pays will depend on the type of Chas card held, and whether the person falls under the Pioneer or Merdeka generation category.

The cost is the same for eligible Singaporeans at polyclinics and MOH-funded long-term care institutions, depending on their per capita household income, and the generation they belong to. Eligible PRs will pay about $450 at polyclinics and MOH-funded long-term care institutions.

As for the pneumococcal vaccine PCV20, Chas clinics will charge eligible Singaporeans between $17 and $68 for the required single dose. Polyclinics and MOH-funded long-term care institutions will charge eligible Singaporeans the same price, while those who are PRs and qualify for the subsidised rates will pay about $102.

Singaporeans enrolled in the Healthier SG scheme will not have to pay for the vaccination.

With both vaccines listed in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, the authorities recommend that adults aged 60 and older, as well as immunocompromised individuals aged between 18 and 59, get the Shingrix vaccine.

PCV20 is recommended for those aged 65 and older, as well as those aged between 18 and 64 who are at a higher risk of developing severe pneumococcal disease.

Those who qualify can book vaccination appointments at participating Chas clinics through

vaccine.gov.sg

, or make an appointment at a polyclinic from Sept 1.

Singaporeans and PRs enrolled in the Healthier SG scheme can book a vaccination slot at the clinic they are enrolled in.