FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO RECENT INCREASE IN INFLUENZA CASES
6 October 2026
NOTICE PAPER NO. 1327
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 6 OCTOBER 2026
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Lee Hong Chuang
MP for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC
Question No. 3005
To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what are the primary factors contributing to the increase in influenza cases as reported by the Communicable Diseases Agency on 1 September 2026; (b) whether the delay in the availability of Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccines will affect the situation; and (c) what are the current trends in the demand of influenza vaccines amongst vulnerable groups.
NOTICE PAPER NO. 1405
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 12 OCTOBER 2026
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Lee Hong Chuang
MP for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC
Question No. 3210
To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what factors are contributing to the recent increase in influenza cases; (b) whether the delay in availability of the Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine has any implications for public health; (c) what are the current trends in influenza vaccination uptake, particularly among vulnerable groups; and (d) what further measures will be considered to encourage timely vaccination.
Answer
Mr Speaker, my response will also address a similar question raised by Mr Lee Hong Chuang filed for a subsequent sitting. If the Member is satisfied with the response, he may wish to withdraw the question from that sitting.
2 Influenza circulates throughout the year in Singapore, with higher activity typically observed from May to August and December to March. The timing of these increases may vary from year to year, influenced by factors such as international travel, immunity levels and population mixing. The recent increase in Singapore has also occurred alongside higher influenza activity in the region.
3 The 2026/2027 Northern Hemisphere (NH) influenza vaccine has arrived in Singapore and is being progressively offered to the public.
4 Influenza vaccination uptake among residents aged 65 and above from June to August this year was broadly comparable to the same period last year. We will continue to monitor influenza activity and vaccine demand, particularly among seniors and other vulnerable groups, and encourage those who are recommended to receive influenza vaccination to do so.
5 Under Healthier SG (HSG), doctors remind their enrollees to receive timely vaccinations through personalised Health Plans. Influenza vaccination is fully subsidised for eligible HSG enrollees, when vaccinated at their enrolled HSG clinic. For the general population, influenza vaccination booking can be made through HealthHub for polyclinics, and the Health Appointment System for participating General Practitioner clinics under the Community Heath Assist Scheme.
