The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 51 No. 6 - COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Vaccination Strategies for Family Physicians, 2025 Update

Vaccine-Preventable Respiratory Diseases: A Case for Ongoing Vigilance in Primary Care

Wee Liang En Ian
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 51 No 6 - COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Vaccination Strategies for Family Physicians, 2025 Update
17 October 2025
0377-5305
Pneumonia is the second-most-common cause-of-death in Singapore; vaccination therefore comprises a significant part of Singapore’s strategy to improve population health, and is embedded into primary care at the national level through Healthier SG. Tropical heat and humidity in Singapore predisposes to year-round transmission of respiratory-viral-infection (RVIs), including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory-syncytial virus (RSV). The list of vaccine-preventable respiratory infections has expanded beyond influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in recent years to include COVID-19 and RSV; however, vaccine-hesitancy is a major obstacle to vaccination uptake and prevention of respiratory infections. Familiarity with the various vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases is essential for the primary care physician.