The flu vaccine protects against Influenza (flu), which is caused by the flu virus. Flu may cause high fever, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches and stuffy nose. Severe cases of flu could even lead to complications such as sinus or ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia (infection of the lungs), and meningitis (infection of the brain lining and spinal cord).

The flu vaccination is recommended annually or twice per year as the circulating flu viruses are changing and the body’s immunity to the flu virus may decrease over time.

Young children aged 6 months to 8 years old who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time require 2 doses, four weeks apart.

Singapore citizens are eligible for subsidies for influenza vaccination at CHAS GP clinics if they are:

• All adults 65 years old and older and all children ages 6-59 months (<5 years old).
• Children aged 60 months (5 years) to 17 and adults 18 to 64 years old with any of the following medical conditions or indications:
• Chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
• Requires medical follow-up or hospitalisation due to chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal, neurologic, hepatic, or haematologic disorders;
• Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, HIV or other immunodeficiencies);
• Persons aged 18 years (as well as those below 18 years under the NCIS) who are receiving long term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection;
• Women at all stages of pregnancy; or
• Persons receiving Intermediate and Long Term Care (ILTC) services.

Eligibility for subsidy is based on criteria for vaccinations under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) and National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS). More information on NAIS and NCIS is available here.

For eligible HealthierSG-enrolled Singapore Citizens (i) aged 65 years old and above and (ii) adults with certain medical conditions, you are able to get fully subsidised flu vaccinations at no cost ($0) at your enrolled HSG clinic.

For those who are not enrolled with a HealthierSG clinic:

If you are an eligible Singapore citizen aged 65 years and above, the price fee caps of subsidised flu vaccinations at CHAS GP clinics are:

• Pioneer Generation: $9
• Merdeka Generation (from 65th birthday): $18

If you are an eligible Singapore citizen aged 18 to 64 years with certain medical conditions, the price fee caps of subsidised flu vaccinations at CHAS GP clinics are:

• CHAS Blue/ CHAS Orange: $18
• CHAS Green/ Non-CHAS: $35

The co-payment for subsidised vaccinations can be paid via MediSave. Do check with your preferred CHAS GP if they process MediSave claims and your eligibility to use MediSave.

Eligible Singapore citizens can enjoy fully subsidised ($0) vaccinations when they visit their Healthier SG clinic.

For Singapore citizens aged 60 months (5 years old) to 17 years old with certain medical conditions, flu vaccinations are fully subsidised (administered at no cost) at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics.

For Singapore citizens aged 6 to 59 months (<5 years old), flu vaccinations are fully subsidised (administered at no cost) at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics.

Do note that if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for flu vaccination subsidies after being reviewed by your GP, you will need to pay the charges as indicated by the clinic. Individuals are recommended to confirm the total cost with the clinic before proceeding with the vaccination.

Learn more about enrolment into Healthier SG here.