What is a polyclinic? How Singapore's polyclinics work for your child
In this article
Polyclinic is the name for Singapore's public primary care clinics. MOH says there are 26 polyclinics, and they provide subsidised primary care, including child health services, preventive care and treatment for acute and chronic conditions. For parents, a polyclinic is one place to take your baby for routine jabs and developmental checks, and NHG Polyclinics says recommended childhood vaccines are free there for Singapore Citizens.
| What it is | A public primary care clinic with subsidised fees |
|---|---|
| How many | 26, MOH says |
| Child jabs for citizens | Free since 1 November 2020 |
| Ages for child jabs | From 1 month to before 7 years, at NUP |
| Not offered | BCG, since 2 January 2016 |
What a polyclinic does
MOH lists the services polyclinics provide: care for acute and chronic conditions and infectious diseases, child health services, preventive health, allied health, diagnostic and pharmacy services. Polyclinics work alongside private GP clinics, and MOH counts more than 2,000 of those, of which more than 1,300 are CHAS clinics, where CHAS card holders get subsidised care.
HealthHub lists SingHealth Polyclinics and National Healthcare Group (NHG) Polyclinics among the public healthcare institutions, and National University Polyclinics (NUP) runs eight more: Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Jurong, Pioneer, Queenstown and Tengah. Each group has its own app and phone line for appointments.
Polyclinic visits for babies and young children
NUP says it gives immunisations and growth and development checks to children from one month old until before seven years old. Its visit schedule runs at 4 weeks, 2, 4, 6, 12, 15 and 18 months, then 30 and 48 months, mixing growth checks, jabs and eye screening.
NHG Polyclinics says its staff monitor length or height, weight and head circumference from birth to four years, and check vision and screen for squint. A couple of jabs happen elsewhere. NHG says BCG stopped at polyclinics on 2 January 2016, so a missed BCG goes to a hospital. NUP says boosters from age 10 are managed by the Health Promotion Board's School Health Services.
What polyclinic vaccinations cost
NHG Polyclinics says that since 1 November 2020 all recommended childhood immunisations are fully subsidised and free at all polyclinics for Singapore Citizen children. MOH says eligible PR children may also get up to full subsidies at polyclinics. That matters for PR families, because vaccine.gov.sg says charges apply for PRs at CHAS GP clinics.
Optional vaccines cost extra. NUP lists hepatitis A, meningococcal and rotavirus as non-subsidised. NHG says you can pay with MediSave, the Baby Bonus cash gift or savings in the Child Development Account. The NCIS shows which jabs count as recommended.
Booking a polyclinic jab and what to bring
CDA says polyclinic appointments can be booked through HealthHub. NUP also takes changes through the NUHS App or on 6908 2222, and NHG Polyclinics through the NHG Health App or on 6355 3000. NHG asks you to bring your child's birth certificate on the first visit and the Health Booklet every time.
After the jab, NHG asks you to wait 15 minutes in the waiting area. It says to come back to a doctor or the polyclinic if a fever lasts more than 48 hours, or for persistent crying, a fit or an inflamed jab site. To find a clinic near you, try the clinic and paediatrician map, and use the vaccination schedule tool to see which visit is next.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a polyclinic and a GP clinic?
A polyclinic is a public clinic with subsidised primary care. A GP clinic is private. MOH says there are more than 2,000 private GP clinics, and more than 1,300 of them are CHAS clinics where CHAS card holders get subsidies.
Are baby vaccinations free at the polyclinic?
The recommended ones are free for Singapore Citizen children, and NHG Polyclinics says this has applied at all polyclinics since 1 November 2020. MOH says PR children may get up to full subsidies. Optional jabs such as rotavirus are charged.
Can my child get BCG at a polyclinic?
No. NHG Polyclinics says BCG vaccination at polyclinics stopped from 2 January 2016. If your baby missed it at birth, check with the hospitals directly.
Up to what age do polyclinics vaccinate children?
NUP gives childhood immunisations from one month old until before seven years old. It says boosters from age 10 are managed by the Health Promotion Board's School Health Services.
Related terms
- NCIS (National Childhood Immunisation Schedule): Singapore's official list of recommended childhood vaccines and the age each dose is due, from birth to 17 years.
- Health Booklet: The Child Health Booklet every Singapore baby gets at delivery. It records growth, milestones and every vaccination.
- BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin): The tuberculosis vaccine most Singapore babies get in hospital soon after birth. It usually leaves a small scar.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella): The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Singapore children get it at 12 months and again at 15 months, as MMRV.
- CDA (Child Development Account): Your child's savings account that the Government tops up with a grant and matched savings, for approved preschool and clinic bills.
- Baby Bonus Scheme: Singapore's parenthood payout: a Cash Gift plus a Child Development Account, replaced by the SG Child Support Package from April 2027.
- MOH - Primary care (read 9 November 2026)
- NHG Polyclinics - NHG Polyclinics Child Health Services (read 9 November 2026)
- National University Polyclinics (NUP) - Child's Health (read 9 November 2026)
- MOH - Childhood Developmental Screening and Childhood Vaccinations (subsidies) (read 9 November 2026)
- MOH (vaccine.gov.sg) - Childhood vaccinations (read 9 November 2026)
- Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) - Vaccinations (last updated 12 October 2026) (read 9 November 2026)
- HealthHub (Health Promotion Board) - Parent Hub: Child Health Booklet (read 9 November 2026)
