Flu Vaccinations Continue at Retail Pharmacies
- Singapore - A pilot program allowing influenza vaccinations at retail pharmacies has been highly successful,leading to an expansion of the service to more outlets.
- Traditionally, influenza vaccinations in Singapore have been available at private general practitioner (GP) clinics, travel clinics, and polyclinics.In October 2024, MOH launched a sandbox trial at select locations...
- the pilot program has considerably surpassed expectations.
Flu Vaccination Pilot at Singapore Pharmacies to Expand Following Strong Public Response
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Singapore – A pilot program allowing influenza vaccinations at retail pharmacies has been highly successful,leading to an expansion of the service to more outlets. The Ministry of Health (MOH) approved the expansion after positive feedback and exceeding initial vaccination targets.
Traditionally, influenza vaccinations in Singapore have been available at private general practitioner (GP) clinics, travel clinics, and polyclinics.In October 2024, MOH launched a sandbox trial at select locations – Guardian at Nex, Unity at Parkway Parade, and Watsons at Paragon – to assess the feasibility of offering vaccinations at retail pharmacies.
Pilot Program Results
the pilot program has considerably surpassed expectations. As of July 31, approximately 1,200 influenza vaccines had been administered by eight approved pharmacists, exceeding MOH’s initial target of 200 vaccinations. The program was initially intended to run for at least a year before potential licensing under the Healthcare Services Act.
A substantial majority – around 87% – of the vaccines administered were given to Singapore citizens,who benefit from the same government subsidies at retail pharmacies as they would at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinics.
Evaluation and Future Outlook
MOH is currently evaluating the effectiveness and safety of the sandbox, considering data from site audits, user feedback, management of any adverse reactions, and overall uptake. While a regulatory decision on mainstreaming the service hasn’t been made,MOH confirmed the program will continue through upcoming flu seasons due to the positive public response.
| Metric | Value (as of July 31) | initial Target |
|---|---|---|
| Total Vaccinations Administered | 1,200 | 200+ |
| Percentage of Citizens Vaccinated | 87% | N/A |
Further updates will be provided as MOH completes it’s evaluation and makes a decision regarding the long-term implementation of this service.