From 1 January 2027, the human papillomavirus 9-valent (HPV9) vaccine, sold as Gardasil 9, will be part of Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) and National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). It will also join the Subsidised Vaccine List. This was announced by the Ministry of Health and the Communicable Diseases Agency in circular CDA-GEC-0019-2026, dated 1 October 2026.

Why HPV vaccination matters

HPV vaccination is recommended for females aged 9 to 26 to help prevent cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cervical cancers. The HPV9 vaccine protects against these two types and also against additional cancer-causing types, covering a further 20% compared with the HPV2 vaccine (Cervarix). Both vaccines offer comparable protection against types 16 and 18, and HPV2 stays on the national schedules.

What’s changing

• HPV9 added: From 1 January 2027, HPV9 is available alongside HPV2 under the NCIS and NAIS for females aged 9 to 26.

• Either vaccine is fine: Unvaccinated females can use HPV2 or HPV9 to start or complete the series.

• Subsidies and MediSave: Government vaccination subsidies and MediSave use will extend to HPV9 for the recommended groups.

• Mixing vaccines is acceptable: HPV9 can be used to finish a series started with HPV2 or HPV4 (Gardasil). HPV4 is no longer available in Singapore.

Recommended dose schedule

If the first dose is given before the 15th birthday, two doses are enough, even if the second is given after she turns 15. If the series was started but not completed by age 26, the remaining doses can still be given as early as possible, up to age 45.

School-based vaccination

Secondary 1 and 2 female students receive HPV vaccination through the Health Promotion Board’s school-based programme. From 1 January 2027, HPV9 will replace HPV2 for new and in-progress vaccinees.

• Students who started with HPV2 (for example, in Secondary 1 in 2026) will complete their series with HPV9 while keeping the same dose schedule.

• Students who missed their 2026 HPV2 dose can still receive it in 2026 at HPB off-site clinics, CHAS GP clinics or polyclinics.

• Students who have already completed the series are not eligible for further subsidised HPV9 doses in school.

If you’ve already completed your HPV vaccination

If you have completed the recommended schedule with HPV2, HPV4 or HPV9, no further doses are recommended nationally. If you would still like extra HPV9 doses, speak to your doctor. Subsidies and MediSave do not apply to additional doses given after a completed series.

What about males?

The national recommendation and the new subsidies and MediSave use apply to females aged 9 to 26. This is because HPV vaccination is mainly aimed at preventing cervical cancer. That does not mean males gain nothing from vaccination.

HPV infects both sexes. In males, it is linked to genital warts and to cancers of the penis, anus and throat. Vaccination can lower the risk of infection with the HPV types the vaccine covers. It can also help reduce spread to partners.

Males who would like to be vaccinated can speak to a doctor about whether it suits them. The subsidies and MediSave use announced in the circular are for the recommended female groups, so vaccination for males would generally be self-paid.

Who should speak to a doctor

• Parents of girls aged 9 and above who haven’t started HPV vaccination

• Young women aged 15 to 26 who are unvaccinated or have an incomplete series

• Women up to age 45 who started a series but did not finish it

• Anyone with a partially completed series using a different HPV vaccine

• Males who want added protection against HPV-related conditions

  
  

Source: Ministry of Health / Communicable Diseases Agency, Circular CDA-GEC-0019-2026 (1 October 2026). Information on benefits for males is general medical information and is not part of the circular. This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a doctor about your individual situation.