Shingles Vaccine in Singapore

Should I Get the Shingles Vaccine?

Under HPB's National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), Shingrix is recommended for:

• All adults aged 60 and above, regardless of underlying health
• Adults aged 18 and above with immunocompromising conditions — including (but not limited to) cancer treatment, long-term steroids or biologics, solid organ or stem cell transplant, autoimmune disease on immunosuppressive therapy, living with HIV, and certain haematological cancers

The list of immunocompromising conditions above is not exhaustive — your doctor will assess whether you qualify based on your specific medical situation. Where possible, Shingrix is ideally given before starting immunosuppressive treatment, or during periods of stable disease and lower immunosuppression.

Shingrix is also HSA-registered for adults from age 50, so adults in their 50s can choose to receive the vaccine privately if they wish — particularly worth considering if you have chronic conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or chronic kidney disease, or have had a previous episode of shingles.

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox carries the dormant virus and is at risk of shingles later in life. Shingrix is also recommended even if you cannot recall having chickenpox, or if you previously received the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine — most adults in Singapore have been exposed to the virus, and screening for prior infection is not required before vaccination. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of shingles; the protection offered by Shingrix is greater than 90 per cent against shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia in clinical trials, and is sustained for several years.

What to Expect at Your Visit

1. Short consultation — your doctor reviews your medical history, allergies, any current illness, prior shingles or Zostavax history, and confirms eligibility. Takes around 10–15 minutes.
2. Vaccine administered — a single injection into the upper arm. Takes seconds.
3. Brief observation — a short wait (typically 15 minutes) to check for any immediate reactions.
4. Second dose scheduled — our team will book your second dose for 2 to 6 months later (or 1 to 2 months later if you are immunocompromised and earlier protection is preferred).

Common side effects

Shingrix tends to produce more noticeable side effects than many other adult vaccines, particularly after the second dose. These reactions reflect the strong immune response the vaccine is designed to trigger, and they typically settle within 1 to 3 days:

• Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
• Tiredness, muscle aches or headache
• Mild fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
• Occasionally, mild nausea or stomach upset

If side effects are pronounced, it may be helpful to schedule your dose at a time when you can take it easy for a day or two afterwards. Serious reactions are rare. Seek urgent medical help for signs of a severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, facial swelling) or a widespread rash.

Precautions

Let your doctor know if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Shingrix or any of its components, if you have an active fever or moderate-to-severe illness on the day of the appointment, or if you are pregnant. Shingrix is not currently recommended during pregnancy — the vaccine is usually deferred until after delivery. Breastfeeding is not a precaution; Shingrix is a non-live recombinant vaccine and poses no known risk to mothers who are breastfeeding or to their infants.