New vaccines against shingles and pneumococcal disease added to National Adult Immunisation Schedule

1. In February 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that Shingrix will be included in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). With the inclusion, subsidies and MediSave usage (from mid-2026) for the vaccine will be extended to eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) at public healthcare institutions and General Practitioner (GP) clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).

2. The inclusion will be effective from 1 September 2025. In addition to Shingrix, MOH and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) will also include the pneumococcal vaccine, PCV20, in the NAIS from 1 September 2025.

3. Shingrix, a recombinant herpes zoster vaccine, is the only vaccine currently registered with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for the prevention of shingles. Under the NAIS, Shingrix is recommended for all adults aged 60 years and above, as well as immunocompromised adults aged 18 to 59 years. It is recommended as a single course of two doses, with an interval of two to six months between the doses. Individuals from the recommended groups who have received the live attenuated varicella-zoster virus vaccine, Zostavax (previously registered with HSA) can also benefit from revaccination with Shingrix and are similarly eligible for subsidies and MediSave usage.

4. PCV20, a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, provides protection against a wider range of pneumococcal strains. The inclusion of PCV20 in the NAIS will provide an alternative to the existing pneumococcal vaccination regimen comprising the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and/or the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). PCV20 provides protection against seven additional pneumococcal strains compared to the existing PCV13. Under the NAIS, PCV20 is recommended for all adults aged 65 years and above, as well as adults aged 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk of developing severe pneumococcal disease. Individuals who have received PCV13 and/or PPSV23 may wish to consult their doctor on the need for PCV20. In general, there is no recommendation for persons aged 65 years and above who have completed their PCV13 and PPSV23 regimen to receive PCV20.

5. Subsidies for Shingrix. From 1 September 2025:

   • At CHAS GP clinics, eligible Singaporeans can expect to pay around $76 to $300 for a complete two-dose course of Shingrix, depending on their CHAS card status or whether they are a Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation senior.

   • At polyclinics and MOH-funded long-term care institutions, eligible Singaporeans can expect to pay around $76 to $300 for a two-dose regimen of Shingrix, depending on their Per Capita Household Income or whether they are a Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation senior. Eligible Permanent Residents can expect to pay around $450.

6. Subsidies for PCV20. From 1 September 2025:

   • At CHAS GP clinics, eligible Singaporeans can expect to pay around $17 to $68 for a complete single-dose course of PCV20 depending on their CHAS card status or whether they are a Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation senior. Healthier SG Singaporean enrolees will be fully subsidised for PCV20 at their enrolled clinic.

   • At polyclinics and MOH-funded long-term care institutions, eligible Singaporeans can expect to pay around $17 to $68 for a single-dose PCV20, depending on their Per Capita Household Income or whether they are a Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation senior. Eligible Healthier SG Singaporean enrolees will be fully subsidised at their enrolled polyclinic. Eligible Permanent Residents can expect to pay around $102.

7. Please see Annex B for a summary of the post-subsidy costs of Shingrix and PCV20 at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics for different patient groups.

8. From mid-2026, MediSave500/700 can also be used to pay for the post-subsidy cost of both vaccines, across the above-mentioned settings. Seniors aged 60 years and above who are eligible for the vaccines may also use Flexi-MediSave.

9. Eligible individuals can book vaccination appointments at participating CHAS GP clinics through https://vaccine.gov.sg or make an appointment at polyclinics from 1 September 2025. Healthier SG enrollees are encouraged to book their vaccination appointment at their enrolled clinic.

10. For the updated NAIS and information on costs after subsidies, please refer to Annexes A and B, or visit the MOH and CDA websites.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AGENCY

Annex A

Annex B