Flu jabs at more retail pharmacies as service continues for at least another year

A sandbox pilot to offer influenza vaccination at retail pharmacies has proven so popular that more outlets will soon offer this service to the public.

- Yap Wei Qiang

The three major retail pharmacy chains participating in the sandbox — Guardian Health & Beauty, Unity Pharmacy, and Watsons Singapore - will expand the service after obtaining approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

While a regulatory decision has not been made whether to mainstream this service, MOH will run this sandbox for at least another year.

Influenza vaccination has traditionally been offered at private general practitioner (GP) clinics, travel clinics and polyclinics.

In October 2024, MOH launched a trial allowing the public to be vaccinated at three retail pharmacies — Guardian at Nex in Serangoon, Unity at Parkway Parade in Marine Parade, and Watsons at Paragon in Orchard.

It was initially targeted to minimally run for a year before MOH licenses such community services under the Healthcare Services Act.