Singapore Expats

Hi - looking to see is anyone has solved an issue we have that is holding up our relocation to Singapore from Europe. Out youngest son is 1 yrs old and has had all the vaccinations stipulated here but in order to get the necessary HPB approvals , the Singapore authorities have requested he have his diphtheria, tetanus booster plus his 2nd MMR jab.

So we approached our local GP who has said no he won’t provide these vaccinations as in this country we don’t provide for approx another 18 months time.

We ve tried to see if we can obtain the vaccinations privately but not getting any success there. So as it stands we are stuck in limbo. Anyone have any suggestions to overcome this issue gratefully received.

Hammy1 wrote: ↑

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 3:55 am

Hi - looking to see is anyone has solved an issue we have that is holding up our relocation to Singapore from Europe. Out youngest son is 1 yrs old and has had all the vaccinations stipulated here but in order to get the necessary HPB approvals , the Singapore authorities have requested he have his diphtheria, tetanus booster plus his 2nd MMR jab.

So we approached our local GP who has said no he won’t provide these vaccinations as in this country we don’t provide for approx another 18 months time.

We ve tried to see if we can obtain the vaccinations privately but not getting any success there. So as it stands we are stuck in limbo. Anyone have any suggestions to overcome this issue gratefully received.

Have you applied from HPB and it failed, or are you assuming because your list doesn't met the requirements to the letter? If not try first.

Not sure which European country you are from, but those are all part of the national children's vaccination program, pretty similar to Singapore's, but yes the local newish vaccination program seems to be a bit more aggressive than most countries. There though might be some different sequence. Especially with the MMR 2nd Dose.

Here's a tool where you can compare the different vaccination schedules per country, which might be useful for looking for options:
https://vaccine-schedule.ecdc.europa.eu/
Germany and Luxembourg seem to have similar to Singapore schedules.

Look and compare to Singapore's requirement here: https://www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statis ... d-vaccines

Then contact a clinic there and do a short trip if possible. Obviously discuss with a doctor 1st etc disclaimers are here.

MMR might really be the trouble though, I think

Sorry it was Lichtenstein not Luxembourg, and possibly France for the MMR. but well good luck.

Hope the 1st option would work for you though.

I have to believe that the HPB would grant you an exception if you can provide hard evidence on this policy from your government and/or have it on a signed letter from your doctor.

That is what I would try if you really have no other easy options like crossing the border to get it done (I see that many European countries do prescribe MMR at 12 months and below, but a handful are 15 months and above, mostly Scandinavian).

Appeal to HPB, if you are able to provide documentation there should be no issue granting you exemption, you’ll probably just have to have your child get the vaccines once here.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 1:39 pm

I have to believe that the HPB would grant you an exception if you can provide hard evidence on this policy from your government and/or have it on a signed letter from your doctor.

That is what I would try if you really have no other easy options like crossing the border to get it done (I see that many European countries do prescribe MMR at 12 months and below, but a handful are 15 months and above, mostly Scandinavian).

Crossing the border just for a vaccine hardly seems practical, although it may be necessary if OP is unable to obtain hard proof of such a policy + documents to substantiate the fact that the child was denied the vaccines.

Thank you all for your quick responses. Really appreciated. We have submitted the form to the HPB and fingers crossed we will get a good response if not we will try private clinics over here.

Government policy on vaccination should usually be accessible online from MOH resources.

GP explanation letter should be sought, outlining why they cannot give the vaccine.

Another option is to contact some of the Pharma companies through local website for their take on it too. GSK, MSD, Pfizer etc.


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Another option is to contact some of the Pharma companies through local website for their take on it too. GSK, MSD, Pfizer etc.

- if you go this route, asking a GP to help write the enquiry usually elicits a faster and more precise response.


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Hammy1 wrote: ↑

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 4:14 am

Thank you all for your quick responses. Really appreciated. We have submitted the form to the HPB and fingers crossed we will get a good response if not we will try private clinics over here.

Best of luck. If it doesn’t work you might have to go through a private route or get your child vaccinated abroad.

BBCDoc wrote: ↑

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 8:15 am

Government policy on vaccination should usually be accessible online from MOH resources.

GP explanation letter should be sought, outlining why they cannot give the vaccine.

Another option is to contact some of the Pharma companies through local website for their take on it too. GSK, MSD, Pfizer etc.


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Would anyone at the pharm companies even be qualified to respond? I’m not sure an email would be enough of a justification.

Lisafuller wrote:

BBCDoc wrote: ↑

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 8:15 am

Government policy on vaccination should usually be accessible online from MOH resources.

GP explanation letter should be sought, outlining why they cannot give the vaccine.

Another option is to contact some of the Pharma companies through local website for their take on it too. GSK, MSD, Pfizer etc.


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Would anyone at the pharm companies even be qualified to respond? I’m not sure an email would be enough of a justification.

They have medical affairs and government affairs people in most countries.

Global Pharma is very very powerful


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In Singapore, official travel clinics can offer vaccines outside of schedule if necessary for travel.

Worth checking if you have any travel clinics in your home country, and see if you can get from there?


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BBCDoc wrote: ↑

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 12:29 pm

Lisafuller wrote:

BBCDoc wrote: ↑

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 8:15 am

Government policy on vaccination should usually be accessible online from MOH resources.

GP explanation letter should be sought, outlining why they cannot give the vaccine.

Another option is to contact some of the Pharma companies through local website for their take on it too. GSK, MSD, Pfizer etc.


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Would anyone at the pharm companies even be qualified to respond? I’m not sure an email would be enough of a justification.

They have medical affairs and government affairs people in most countries.

Global Pharma is very very powerful


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Ahh, you do have a point.