{"id":11112,"date":"2020-02-24T00:39:47","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T00:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/travel-vaccinations-for-singaporeans\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T21:33:25","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T21:33:25","slug":"travel-vaccinations-for-singaporeans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/tips-inspiration\/travel-vaccinations-for-singaporeans\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Vaccinations for Singaporeans: Vaccine Types and Where to Get Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Update:The vaccinations below were recommended for travel in a regular climate. Due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, there are new travel advisories and guidelines to safeguard yourself. Please check the World Health Organization<\/a> and the Singapore Ministry of Health<\/a> for up-to-date advice and travel restrictions on the evolving situation.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to planning an exciting trip, getting a travel vaccination is probably the furthest thing from your mind. People don’t normally give their vaccination records a second glance when they’re excited about a vacation! However, with the recent viral outbreaks that have been occurring all over the world<\/a>, it’s better to be safe than sorry! You wouldn\u2019t want to get sick while on vacation, would you?<\/p>\n

But first, you might be wondering…<\/p>\n

Do I really need travel vaccinations?<\/h2>\n
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Visiting another country can put you at risk of getting infected with diseases not <\/span><\/span>normally<\/span><\/span> present in Singapore<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>This is why getting vaccinated against certain diseases is one of the best ways to protect yourself while travelling abroad<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What are the recommended travel vaccinations?<\/h2>\n
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The types of travel vaccinations you will need will depend on the country or region that you will be travelling to<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>These vaccinations are <\/span><\/span>recommendations from Singapore General Hospital<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span><\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Though not <\/span><\/span>legally<\/span><\/span> required for entry, these vaccines will protect you from the risk of immediate contraction of certain illnesses<\/span><\/span>. They will also help prevent the spread of diseases from one country to another.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If you’re travelling to\u00a0China<\/a>, India<\/a>, Vietnam<\/a>, Indonesia<\/a><\/h3>\n

Recommended vaccinations: <\/strong>Routine vaccinations, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis*, Rabies* (highly recommended), Typhoid, Anti-malarial medications*<\/p>\n

\"menCredit: Macau Photo Agency<\/a> \/ Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n

If you didn’t already know, China is ground zero for the 2019-nCoV outbreak (now called COVID-19<\/a>). There are currently no vaccines for the virus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to it. Because of this, there have been tighter China travel restrictions in countries all over the world<\/a>. The CDC<\/a> also recommends travellers to avoid nonessential travel to China.<\/p>\n

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Currently, there are also <\/span><\/span>polio outbreaks in several countries in Asia<\/span><\/a> and a <\/span><\/span>global measles outbreak<\/span><\/a> has also <\/span><\/span>been announced<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>As such, the CDC has also <\/span><\/span>highly<\/span><\/span> recommended travellers going to Southeast Asia to be <\/span><\/span>fully<\/span><\/span> vaccinated against polio and measles<\/span><\/span>. This is especially true if you are travelling with infants and children.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If you’re travelling to\u00a0South America<\/a><\/h3>\n

Recommended vaccinations: <\/strong>Routine vaccinations, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis*, Rabies* (highly recommended), Typhoid, Anti-malarial medications*<\/p>\n

\"brazilCredit: sergio souza<\/a> \/ Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>yellow fever<\/span><\/a>\u00a0vaccine may <\/span>be required<\/span><\/span> for travel to certain parts of South America and Africa. <\/span>This is because this viral infection can <\/span><\/span>be transmitted<\/span><\/span> through a bite from infected mosquitoes in these two regions<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>It’s also <\/span><\/span>highly<\/span><\/span> recommended to get a rabies vaccination before visiting any countries in South America<\/span><\/span>. This is particularly true if you will be taking part in outdoor activities in remote areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re travelling to\u00a0Africa<\/a><\/h3>\n

Recommended vaccinations: <\/strong>Routine vaccinations, Yellow Fever*, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Rabies* (highly recommended), Typhoid, Anti-malarial medications*<\/p>\n

\"threeCredit: Annie Spratt<\/a> \/ Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n

When travelling to Africa, anti-malaria medications are a must. This is because 92% of global malaria cases<\/a> are in the WHO African Region. This approximates to 200 million cases. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria. Travellers are advised to wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers, especially after sunset. Using insect repellents on exposed skin is also highly encouraged.<\/p>\n

If you’re travelling to\u00a0Saudi Arabia<\/a><\/h3>\n

Recommended vaccinations: <\/strong>Routine vaccinations, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Influenza (highly recommended), Meningococcal* (recommended), Rabies*, Anti-malarial medications*, Yellow Fever<\/p>\n

\"muslimsCredit: Adli Wahid<\/a> \/ Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a meningococcal vaccine requirement during the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. KSA requires proof of vaccination as part of the hajj and umrah visa application process. Aside from meningococcal vaccine, yellow fever vaccine is also required for anyone arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country.<\/p>\n

Note: Routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot<\/em>.<\/p>\n

*Risk depends on the area of travel in the country<\/span><\/p>\n

Where can I get travel vaccinations in Singapore and how much do they cost?<\/h2>\n

Public Hospitals: Most Affordable<\/h3>\n
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Public hospitals offer vaccinations at a lower cost compared to polyclinics and private hospitals<\/span><\/span>. They also offer a wider range of vaccinations compared to polyclinics. <\/span>Most public hospitals in Singapore have a travel clinic where you can get travel vaccinations<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>However<\/span><\/span>, these travel clinics are only open during regular office hours so you can drop by during your lunch break<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Approximate Cost of Travel Vaccinations (excluding consultation fees):<\/strong><\/p>\n