How often do I need the flu vaccine?
Once a year. Influenza viruses change constantly, and the vaccine is reformulated twice yearly — a Southern Hemisphere version (around April to September) and a Northern Hemisphere version (around October to March) — to match the strains WHO surveillance expects to circulate. Immunity also fades over time, so an annual influenza vaccine is recommended.
Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?
No. The injected influenza vaccine does not contain live virus, so it cannot cause influenza. Some people feel a sore arm, mild tiredness or a low-grade temperature for a day or two — that is the immune system responding, not the flu.
How long does the flu vaccine take to work?
It takes about two weeks for your body to build protection after the influenza vaccine, which is why it's best to get vaccinated early in the season rather than once flu is already circulating around you.
Which influenza vaccines are available in Singapore?
The quadrivalent influenza vaccine is standard in Singapore, protecting against two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains. Commonly used brands include Vaxigrip Tetra, Fluarix Tetra and Influvac Tetra. Our doctors will advise which is suitable for you.
Is the flu vaccine free or subsidised?
Influenza vaccination is on the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) and the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS). Nationally recommended groups can receive subsidies at CHAS GP clinics, it is fully subsidised for eligible Healthier SG enrollees, and MediSave may be used. Contact us to check what you qualify for.
Can I use MediSave to pay for the flu vaccine?
Yes. Eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can use MediSave for nationally recommended vaccinations, including the influenza vaccine. Our team will let you know what applies to you.
Can I get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine together?
In many cases yes — they can often be given at the same visit, in different arms. An interval of at least 14 days between a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine is encouraged but not required. Our doctors will confirm what's suitable for you.
Is the flu vaccine safe during pregnancy?
Yes. The influenza vaccine is recommended at any stage of pregnancy. It protects both mother and baby, and passes antibodies to the newborn who is too young to be vaccinated.
Can children get the flu vaccine?
Yes, from six months of age. Children under nine receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time usually need two doses about four weeks apart; after that, a single annual dose.
What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?
Common effects — soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, body aches or fatigue — occur in fewer than one in ten people, are mild and settle on their own. Serious reactions are very rare, and far less likely than serious complications from influenza itself.
When should I avoid the influenza vaccine?
Postpone if you are unwell or have a fever. Tell your doctor if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous influenza vaccine, a severe allergy to antibiotics such as neomycin, gentamicin or polymyxin B, or a history of severe egg allergy — vaccination may then need to be done in a controlled hospital setting.
Do I still need it if I'm young and healthy?
Healthy people catch influenza too, and can pass it to more vulnerable family members. Vaccination lowers your chance of falling ill, and tends to make illness milder and recovery faster if you do catch it.
Why get the flu vaccine at a GP clinic?
You get the same nationally recommended influenza vaccine, the same subsidies, and usually a shorter wait — plus a doctor who knows your history and can review any other vaccines you may be due.
Where is my vaccination recorded?
Your influenza vaccination is recorded in the National Immunisation Registry and appears in your HealthHub record — there's nothing for you to do.
