Quick answer. Travel vaccines depend on your destination, trip length and activities. Common ones for Asia, Africa and South America include hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies, plus yellow fever for some countries. See a travel clinic such as TTSH’s Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic 4-6 weeks before departure so multi-dose courses can be completed. First make sure your routine jabs (tetanus, MMR, influenza) are up to date.
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Travel vaccinations protect you against diseases that are uncommon in Singapore but circulate in other parts of the world. There is no single set of jabs for every traveller: what you need is decided by where you are going, how long you will stay, what you will do (rural trekking, working with animals, visiting friends and relatives) and your own health and vaccination history. This guide explains the difference between routine and travel vaccines, common destination-based recommendations, timing, and where to get vaccinated in Singapore. It is general information and not a substitute for a personalised travel consultation.
At a glance
| Vaccine | Often considered for | Typical schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Most travellers to developing regions | 1 dose before travel, booster 6-12 months later |
| Typhoid | South/Southeast Asia, parts of Africa | Single injection or oral course, ideally 1-2 weeks before |
| Hepatitis B | Longer stays, healthcare/medical travel | 3 doses over weeks to months |
| Japanese encephalitis | Rural/agricultural Asia, longer stays | 2 doses, second usually 4 weeks before travel |
| Rabies | Remote areas, animal contact, long stays | Pre-exposure course over about 3-4 weeks |
| Yellow fever | Parts of Africa and South America | Single dose at an authorised centre, at least 10 days before |
Routine vaccines come first
Before adding travel-specific jabs, a clinician will check that your routine immunisations are current. These include tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and seasonal influenza. Measles still causes outbreaks worldwide, so confirming MMR protection is especially important. Singapore’s National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) sets out which routine vaccines adults should have, and travel is a good prompt to catch up on any that are overdue.
How destination and activity decide your jabs
Recommendations are itinerary-specific. A short city break in Tokyo carries different risks from weeks of rural trekking in Laos or volunteering in sub-Saharan Africa. Factors include the diseases present at your destination, whether you will be in rural versus urban areas, the season, your accommodation and food/water exposure, planned activities such as caving or working with animals, and the length of stay. Travellers visiting friends and relatives in their country of origin are often at higher risk because they may stay longer, in non-tourist settings, and assume they are already immune.
Timing: see a clinic 4-6 weeks before you fly
Singapore travel clinics, including the TTSH Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic, advise booking a consultation about four to six weeks before departure. Many travel vaccines need more than one dose spread over weeks, and some (such as yellow fever) only become effective ten days after vaccination. Leaving it late does not mean you should skip the visit: even last-minute travellers can benefit from accelerated schedules, a single protective dose, malaria advice and bite-avoidance guidance.
Where to get travel vaccinations in Singapore
You can be vaccinated at hospital-based travel clinics such as the TTSH Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic and clinics at other public hospitals, as well as many GP and private travel clinics. Yellow fever can only be given at MOH-authorised vaccination centres that can issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). A travel clinic can review your itinerary and health, give the relevant vaccines in one place, and advise on malaria tablets where needed.
Cost and payment
Most travel vaccines are paid out of pocket and are generally not claimable under MediSave, although some routine NAIS vaccines given to eligible Singaporeans and PRs are subsidised. Prices vary widely by vaccine and provider, ranging from modest amounts for a single typhoid or hepatitis A dose to several hundred dollars for multi-dose courses such as rabies or Japanese encephalitis. Ask the clinic for a quote for your specific list of vaccines, and factor in that some courses require more than one visit.
Beyond the needle
Vaccines are only one part of staying well abroad. Depending on your destination you may also need malaria prevention tablets, advice on preventing traveller’s diarrhoea and safe food and water, mosquito-bite avoidance for dengue, Zika and other diseases, and a basic travel health kit. Travellers with chronic conditions, who are pregnant, or who are immunocompromised should seek tailored advice, as some live vaccines may not be suitable.
How to prepare for your travel consultation
To get the most from a single visit, bring your full itinerary, including stopovers, dates, and the kinds of places and activities planned – city versus rural, trekking, working with animals or visiting friends and relatives. Bring any vaccination records you have, and tell the clinician about chronic conditions, current medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any weakened immunity, as these affect which vaccines are suitable. The clinician can then map your routine and travel-specific needs, advise on malaria tablets where relevant, and schedule any multi-dose courses so they finish before you fly.
Self-care while abroad
Vaccines reduce, but do not remove, every risk, so simple precautions still matter. Practise good food and water hygiene to lower the chance of traveller’s diarrhoea, use insect repellent and cover up to avoid mosquito bites that spread dengue, Zika and other diseases, and avoid contact with stray animals. Pack a basic travel health kit, carry enough of your regular medicines in their original packaging, and know how to reach medical help at your destination. If you fall ill after returning, mention your travel to your doctor, as some infections appear only after you are home.
Common questions
What if I am leaving in a few days?
Still see a clinic. Even last-minute travellers can benefit from a single protective dose, an accelerated schedule where available, malaria advice and bite-avoidance guidance.
Are travel vaccines covered by MediSave or subsidies?
Most travel vaccines are paid out of pocket and are generally not claimable under MediSave, though some routine NAIS vaccines for eligible Singaporeans and PRs are subsidised. Ask your clinic for a quote for your specific list of vaccines.
Related guides
- Best Travel & Vaccination Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- Yellow fever
- Malaria prevention
- Adult vaccines
Sources
- TTSH Travellers' Health & Vaccination Clinic
- HealthHub – National Adult Immunisation Schedule
- Communicable Diseases Agency – Vaccinations
- ICA – Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
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