COVID-19 vaccination is now part of Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) and National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). The change took effect on 12 October 2026, following an announcement by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) on 7 October. This does not mean the vaccine is making a comeback: COVID-19 jabs have been available continuously since 2020 under the separate COVID-19 National Vaccination Programme. What has changed is their place in the healthcare system. They now sit alongside long-standing recommendations for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, rather than within a standalone pandemic-era programme.
Updated XFG formulations of the Moderna/Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines are also rolling out. So what does this mean for you? Here is who the recommendation covers, how many doses you may need and what to know before booking.
Key Takeaways
- From 12 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccination will sit within the NCIS and NAIS rather than as a standalone pandemic programme, though it has been offered continuously since 2020.
- The vaccine remains recommended chiefly for people aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above, and residents of aged care facilities.
- Updated XFG vaccines reflect the strain currently dominant in Singapore, though MOH has stated there is no evidence that XFG causes more severe illness than earlier variants.
- Vaccination stays fully subsidised for citizens, permanent residents and eligible pass holders, but it still cannot be claimed under MediSave.
- First-time recipients and those due for their next dose follow slightly different schedules depending on age and vaccination history.
What Actually Changed, and What Didn’t
The main change is how COVID-19 vaccination fits into routine healthcare, not who is advised to get it. According to the joint MOH and CDA press release, COVID-19 “will continue to circulate and pose a risk of severe disease, particularly among older and medically vulnerable individuals”. Including the vaccine in the NCIS and NAIS recognises that ongoing risk, rather than treating vaccination as an emergency measure under a separate pandemic programme.
The funding arrangement has not changed. Vaccination remains fully subsidised for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long-Term Pass Holders and certain Short-Term Pass Holders at participating CHAS GP clinics, polyclinics and Mobile Vaccination Team (MVT) sites, “until further review”. There is one important distinction: it is not claimable under MediSave 500/700. It will also not be claimable under the MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care scheme when that takes effect on 1 January 2027.
Who the Recommendation Actually Covers
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for three groups: people aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above, and residents of aged care facilities. MOH also encourages healthcare workers and anyone who lives or works with medically vulnerable people to get vaccinated to help protect those around them. Not in one of these groups? You can still choose to be vaccinated if you are aged six months or above.
Not sure whether you count as medically vulnerable? MOH defines this as being at increased risk of severe COVID-19 because of significant medical risk factors, including chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and other organ systems. MOH publishes a fuller list of qualifying conditions. If you are unsure, its advice is straightforward: ask your doctor.
The Updated Dosing Schedule
How many doses you need depends on your age and vaccination history. If you have never had a COVID-19 vaccine, use the age groups below. If you have already had at least one dose, the timing of your next dose depends on when you received your last one.
Dosing at a Glance
| Situation | Recommended dosing |
|---|---|
| Never vaccinated, aged 6 months to 4 years | Two doses, eight weeks apart |
| Never vaccinated, aged 5 years and above | One dose |
| Previously vaccinated, aged 6 months and above | One additional dose around one year after the last dose, and at least five months after it |
The rollout of the updated vaccines is staggered by age and brand. From 12 October 2026, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty is available for those aged 12 and above, and Moderna/Spikevax for everyone aged six months and above. From 2 November 2026, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty will extend to children aged six months to 11 years, once the existing stock of the older LP.8.1 formulation for that age group runs out.
Why the Vaccine Formula Changed Again: the XFG Variant
The updated vaccines target XFG, an Omicron descendant that has become the dominant circulating strain in Singapore and globally since 2025. That does not mean the virus has become more dangerous. In a parliamentary written answer dated 15 October 2025, MOH stated that “there is no evidence to suggest that XFG causes more severe illness or deaths compared to previous variants”. The update aims to keep protection aligned with the circulating strain. The Health Sciences Authority has approved the updated formulations, and MOH describes their safety profiles as comparable to earlier versions.
What This Means for You, Practically
Aged 60 or above? Check when you had your last dose and book your next one if it is due: MOH warns that recurring COVID-19 waves can cause severe disease in this age group. Do you live with a chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver condition? Ask your GP whether you count as medically vulnerable. For parents, the key point is that vaccination is not recommended universally for children: the recommendation covers medically vulnerable children aged six months and above, although parents of healthy children can still choose vaccination. For generally healthy working-age adults outside the recommended groups, vaccination remains available as a personal choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean everyone now needs a COVID-19 vaccine, like with childhood jabs?
No. Adding COVID-19 vaccination to the NCIS and NAIS makes it part of the standing immunisation schedules; it does not mean everyone is now advised to have it. The recommendation still focuses on people aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above, and residents of aged care facilities.
Do I need to pay anything?
Vaccination remains fully subsidised for citizens, permanent residents and eligible pass holders at participating clinics. This arrangement applies “until further review”, so it is not a permanent funding commitment. Vaccination is not claimable under MediSave.
Is the new XFG vaccine riskier because it’s targeting a newer variant?
MOH says the updated vaccine’s safety profile is comparable to previous versions. XFG itself has not been shown to cause more severe illness than earlier strains.
Where can I actually get vaccinated?
The vaccine is offered at more than 600 GP clinics, all polyclinics and Mobile Vaccination Team sites. Book GP clinic appointments through vaccine.gov.sg/covid and confirm stock with the clinic before you go. For polyclinic appointments, use HealthHub.
The Bottom Line
COVID-19 vaccination has not returned after an absence. It has become part of Singapore’s routine immunisation schedules rather than a separate pandemic programme. The recommended groups remain the same: people aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above, and residents of aged care facilities. Everyone else aged six months and above can still opt in. If vaccination is recommended for you, check when your next dose is due and book accordingly.
Editorial Note
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Whether you are considered medically vulnerable, and how COVID-19 vaccination fits your personal health situation, depends on your specific medical history. Consult a doctor to confirm your eligibility and recommended dosing, and seek prompt medical attention for severe or worsening symptoms.
Sources
- Ministry of Health Singapore and Communicable Diseases Agency. “COVID-19 Vaccination to Be Incorporated Into National Immunisation Schedules.” Ministry of Health Singapore, 2026. https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/covid-19-vaccination-to-be-incorporated-into-national-immunisation-schedules/
- Ministry of Health Singapore. “Strategies to Encourage Singaporeans to Update COVID-19 Vaccinations Amid Dominance of XFG Variant.” Ministry of Health Singapore, 2025. https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/strategies-to-encourage-singaporeans-to-update-covid-19-vaccinations-amid-dominance-of-xfg-variant/
- Ministry of Health Singapore. “Medically Vulnerable Persons Are Recommended for COVID-19 Vaccination in 2025/2026. Who Are Considered Medically Vulnerable Persons?” AskGov, 2026. https://ask.gov.sg/moh/questions/cm2litsqh001d46yzhrbwspk6
- Communicable Diseases Agency Singapore. “COVID-19 Vaccination to Be Incorporated Into National Immunisation Schedules.” Communicable Diseases Agency, 2026. https://www.cda.gov.sg/news-and-events/covid-19-vaccination-to-be-incorporated-into-national-immunisation-schedules/