While there are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Singapore, all travellers should be up to date with routine vaccinations recommended in their country of origin, for example, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and influenza.

Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B inoculations are recommended for those at particular occupational or social hazard, such as health care workers or those playing contact sports, as there is a high incidence of Hepatitis B in the general population. It is important to discuss the vaccinations you require with your health care provider as soon as possible, ideally six weeks before travel, as some illnesses require a series of injections, or prophylactic medications, which must be staged appropriately.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease spread through contaminated food or water or contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is moderately endemic in Singapore. The vaccine is well-tolerated and gives long-lasting coverage.

Typhoid fever is a gastrointestinal bacterial infection spread through contact with an infected person or things they have touched, including food and water. Typhoid fever is endemic in the tropics. There are two types of vaccine: the inactive injectable vaccine which gives two to three years’ coverage, and the live attenuated oral vaccine which gives five to seven years’ coverage. They do not give complete protection but will reduce the severity of the illness.

Hepatitis B is a liver disease spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (through for instance sexual contact, medical treatment, tattooing, or acupuncture) should be vaccinated. A combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine is available in the U.S.

Japanese encephalitis is a serious, potentially fatal illness spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk is low for most travellers but the vaccine may be advised if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors in rural areas.

Rabies If you are planning to stay or work with animals you should certainly have a vaccination, but there are also risks from the largely unvaccinated domestic pets you may come across. Children should be vaccinated, as they may not report bites or scratches.

Yellow Fever is not an infection risk in Singapore, but there is a certificate requirement if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis In Singapore, the average annual incidence of tuberculosis (in all forms) is high, and you should consider immunisation against the disease.

There are also specialised vaccines for particular groups of travellers, such as anthrax vaccines for veterinarians and cholera vaccines for those who are travelling to areas with cholera outbreaks, but your employer and health provider can ensure you are adequately protected. If you have a health condition that may merit further vaccination you should seek advice from your doctor.

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