Singapore

Recommended Vaccinations For Singapore

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with Hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to Hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Short-term travellers with itineraries limited to urban areas are at very low risk. Vaccination is recommended for travellers who visit or work in rural agricultural areas, such as marsh lands and rice fields.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older who, within the preceding six days, have been in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Singapore

There are no recommendations for Singapore at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Singapore

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Singapore, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Singapore.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is a viral disease that occurs in Singapore. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, however, outbreaks can occur in the dry season as well.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Singapore through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Scrub Typhus

There is a risk of acquiring Scrub Typhus in Singapore.

Zika Fever

Zika fever does occur in Singapore.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in the country

Japanese encephalitis

In Singapore, outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur sporadically year-round. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Singapore through contaminated food or coming in contact with a person infected with the virus.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older who, within the preceding six days, have been in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Singapore is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species. They may carry bat lyssavirus (bat rabies).

Safety & Security in Singapore

Personal Safety

Singapore maintains exceptionally low crime rates and ranks consistently as one of the safest cities worldwide. Physical crime remained stable at around 20,000 cases in 2024, with most incidents concentrated in shop theft and voyeurism. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The primary concern is the surge in scams and cybercrime, which saw over 46,000 reported cases in 2023, driven by job scams, e-commerce fraud, and phishing attempts. Most scams target financial information rather than personal safety. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas like Bugis Street and Little India during festivals, but remains uncommon. Outrage of modesty cases decreased to 1,427 in 2024, with more than half involving culprits known to victims. The terrorism threat comes mainly from self-radicalised individuals influenced by online extremist content, though no terrorist attacks have occurred in recent years. Security forces maintain heightened vigilance at public spaces and transport hubs.

Extreme Violence

Singapore experiences virtually no terrorist incidents, with none reported in 2022, 2023, or 2024. The main threat comes from self-radicalised individuals influenced by online extremist materials, particularly ISIS and far-right ideologies. Since 2015, 17 youths aged 20 or under have been detained under the Internal Security Act for terrorism-related activities, with 12 of these cases occurring in the last five years. Three youths in the past year alone intended to mount local attacks using simple weapons. Authorities detained several individuals in 2022 and prior years for planning attacks or supporting terrorist organisations financially. The government maintains a preventive detention system allowing arrest without trial for security threats. Religious rehabilitation programs counsel detained individuals. Security forces remain on heightened alert with enhanced border measures and regular counter-terrorism exercises. Violent crime rates are extremely low, with homicide virtually non-existent. Physical assaults against tourists are rare.

Political Unrest

Public demonstrations are heavily restricted under the Public Order Act, which requires police permits for any cause-related gathering. Unauthorised protests are illegal and can result in arrest. The only designated protest area is Speakers Corner at Hong Lim Park, where Singapore citizens can gather without permits but must inform authorities. Non-permanent residents need permits even for Speakers Corner events. In 2023 and 2024, authorities banned all demonstrations related to the Gaza conflict and investigated activists who posted about the issue on social media. Police have questioned and detained protesters who displayed banners outside designated areas. In April 2024, three activists were investigated for displaying an anti-arms trade banner at Gardens by the Bay. Penalties for unauthorised demonstrations can be severe. The government uses the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act to issue correction notices and block websites critical of authorities. Political protests remain virtually unknown outside controlled venues. Singapore experiences no significant civil unrest or anti-government movements.

Areas To Avoid

Singapore has no genuinely dangerous neighborhoods for tourists. The entire city-state maintains uniform safety standards across all districts. Geylang, known as the red-light district, is sometimes suggested to avoid for accommodation due to its character rather than safety concerns. Some industrial areas like Tuas and Jurong East lack tourist attractions but pose no security threat. Yishun in the north has gained an internet reputation for incidents but remains safe by international standards. Little India can become crowded during festivals and weekends, where petty theft may occur in dense crowds, though violent crime is virtually absent. The areas are well-lit and patrolled. Changi Airport area is distant from central attractions but perfectly safe. All neighborhoods have excellent public transport connections and police presence. Visitors can move freely throughout Singapore at any hour without significant safety concerns. The main consideration when choosing areas is proximity to attractions rather than security.