Seasonal Influenza Vaccination for 2025-2026
3 November 2025 | Vaccinations | MOH Cir 71/2025
Summary
1. Background
MOH recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for 2025-2026 using northern hemisphere (NH) vaccine strains. Influenza circulates year-round in Singapore with peak activity December-March (NH season) and May-August (SH season). Recent uptick in influenza cases observed from mid-August 2025. ECI recommends vaccination for specified high-risk groups and healthcare workers.
2. Recommended Groups for Influenza Vaccination
- High-Risk Groups:
- Persons aged 60 years and above
- Persons aged 6 months to 59 years with chronic medical conditions (pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, neurological, immunocompromising)
- Pregnant women
- Children aged 6-23 months
- Occupational Groups:
- All healthcare workers and staff in healthcare institutions
- Staff in intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) facilities
- Environmental/Exposure Groups:
- Persons in crowded/congregate living settings (military, prisons, dormitories)
- Caregivers of high-risk individuals
- Poultry/swine farm workers
3. Vaccine Details
- Vaccine Strains: 2025-2026 NH strains (specific strains per WHO recommendations)
- Formulations: Available in quadrivalent (4-valent) and trivalent (3-valent) forms
- Dosing: Standard dose as per product specifications; younger children may require 2 doses
- Administration: Can be co-administered with other vaccines using different sites
- Timing: Campaign throughout 2025-2026 season; uptake higher in later months
4. Special Populations
- Egg Allergy: Influenza vaccines contain egg protein; manage per documented allergy protocols
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome History: Use clinical judgment; benefit typically outweighs small risk
- Immunocompromised: Vaccination beneficial despite potentially reduced response
- Live Vaccine Precautions: Inactivated vaccine preferred for immunocompromised; live vaccine contraindicated
5. Action for Your Practice
- Identify and systematically counsel eligible patients (age 60+, chronic conditions, healthcare workers)
- Stock 2025-2026 NH vaccine formulations
- Train staff on administration and documentation
- Address vaccine hesitancy with evidence-based information
- Consider reminders/prompts for eligible groups at every contact
- Document vaccine batch, strain, and route appropriately
- Report serious adverse events via pharmacovigilance system
- Coordinate with workplace occupational health programs for workers
6. Subsidy Information
Verify current subsidy eligibility status; CHAS and other support schemes may apply for eligible groups.
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𝟭. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
MOH recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for 2025-2026 using northern hemisphere (NH) vaccine strains. Influenza circulates year-round in Singapore with peak activity December-March (NH season) and May-August (SH season). Recent uptick in influenza cases observed from mid-August 2025. ECI recommends vaccination for specified high-risk groups and healthcare workers.
𝟮. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗮 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
• High-Risk Groups: • Persons aged 60 years and above • Persons aged 6 months to 59 years with chronic medical conditions (pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, neurological, immunocompromising) • Pregnant women • Children aged 6-23 months • Occupational Groups: • All healthcare workers and staff in healthcare institutions • Staff in intermediate and long-term care...
𝟯. 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
• Vaccine Strains: 2025-2026 NH strains (specific strains per WHO recommendations) • Formulations: Available in quadrivalent (4-valent) and trivalent (3-valent) forms • Dosing: Standard dose as per product specifications; younger children may require 2 doses • Administration: Can be co-administered with other vaccines using different sites • Timing: Campaign throughout 2025-2026 season; uptake higher in...
𝟰. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
• Egg Allergy: Influenza vaccines contain egg protein; manage per documented allergy protocols • Guillain-Barré Syndrome History: Use clinical judgment; benefit typically outweighs small risk • Immunocompromised: Vaccination beneficial despite potentially reduced response • Live Vaccine Precautions: Inactivated vaccine preferred for immunocompromised; live vaccine contraindicated
Documents
Circular
- MOH Cir 71_2025 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination for the 2025-2026 Northern Hemisphere Influenza S.pdf