Starting January 1, 2027, eligible women in Singapore will be able to receive the Gardasil 9 (HPV9) vaccine at subsidised rates as part of the national effort to enhance protection against cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health (MOH), Health Promotion Board (HPB), and Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) jointly announced the inclusion of HPV9 in Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) and National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS).
From the same date, HPV9 will replace the currently used HPV2 vaccine in the school-based immunisation programme for Secondary 1 and 2 female students. The vaccination will continue to be provided free of charge through the HPB’s school-based programme. Female students who begin their vaccine series with HPV2 in 2026 and have yet to complete it will receive HPV9 for subsequent doses in 2027, unless they have already completed their vaccination series.
The HPV9 vaccine offers broader protection, targeting HPV strains that account for up to 90% of cervical cancers, compared to HPV2, which covers strains responsible for about 70% of cases. HPV4, previously known as Gardasil, has been phased out and removed from the national immunisation schedules.
Eligible Singaporean females aged 9 to 26 will receive means-tested subsidies covering up to 75% of the vaccine cost for HPV9, with full subsidies available to children through CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics. Permanent residents can also access subsidies at polyclinics. The vaccination regimen is based on age and prior dose history: girls aged 9 to 14 require two doses when initiating vaccination with either HPV2 or HPV9, while individuals aged 15 to 26 are recommended to receive three doses. Those who start but do not complete the series by age 26 may complete the remaining doses as early as possible up to age 45.
Women aged 27 to 45 may initiate or complete HPV vaccination with either vaccine but are not eligible for subsidies or the use of MediSave, according to current recommendations. The CDA noted that there is insufficient evidence regarding the vaccine's efficacy in this age group to warrant routine recommendations under the NAIS. However, vaccination remains available for those who choose to receive it.
Individuals who began vaccination with HPV2 or HPV4 and have pending doses may complete their series with HPV9. Studies have demonstrated that mixed vaccine schedules are safe and effective against the targeted HPV strains. Those who have already completed the full vaccination series are not advised to receive additional doses.
Eligible individuals may use up to S$700 from their MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care limits to pay for the HPV9 vaccine, increasing to S$1,000 for patients with multiple chronic disease conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). The vaccine may be booked at participating CHAS GP clinics via vaccinegov.gov.sg or at polyclinics, with those enrolled in Healthier SG encouraged to use their regular clinics.
This expanded access and subsidy follow expert recommendations from the Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI), aiming to improve cervical cancer prevention across Singapore’s female population.