If you're a parent in Singapore deciding whether to give your child vaccines beyond the standard immunisation schedule, you're not alone in wondering: "Is this extra protection worth it?" A recent study from China reveals something fascinating—and perhaps unexpected—about how family structure influences these vaccine decisions.
Researchers surveyed nearly 400 mothers about their willingness to choose optional vaccines (those not covered by public funding) for their young children. The results painted a clear picture: mothers with one child were much more likely to say yes to these additional vaccines than mothers with multiple children.
What the research found
The study discovered that about two-thirds of all mothers surveyed wanted optional vaccines for their children. However, when researchers looked more closely at family type, an interesting gap appeared. Mothers with a single child showed a 68% willingness to add optional vaccines, while mothers with multiple children dropped to just 59%. That's a significant difference.
Why might this be? The research suggests several possibilities. Mothers with one child tended to be younger, better educated, and more likely to work full-time. They also lived more often in urban areas. All of these factors may contribute to different decision-making patterns. But even after researchers accounted for these differences, the core finding remained: having multiple children was linked with lower vaccine uptake.
Interestingly, this wasn't because multiple-children households couldn't afford vaccines or didn't care about their children's health. Instead, it appears to reflect how parents in different family situations weigh their options. Parents managing multiple children's healthcare, schedules, and budgets may approach discretionary medical decisions differently than those with one child.
What this means for Singapore families
Singapore's situation mirrors this research context closely. Our public system covers essential vaccines through the National Immunisation Schedule, but optional vaccines—like those protecting against rotavirus, chickenpox, or pneumococcal disease—require private payment. Parents must actively choose and pay for these.
For Singapore families, this research is a gentle reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to immunisation decisions. Whether you're a first-time parent with one child or juggling the healthcare needs of three children, your situation is valid. The key is having accurate information to make the choice that works for your family.
Healthcare providers and policymakers in Singapore can learn from this too. When communicating about optional vaccines, it helps to acknowledge that parents with multiple children face different constraints—not just financial, but also time, energy, and competing priorities. Messaging that speaks to these real-world family situations tends to be more effective than generic advice.
Three practical takeaways for you
- Evaluate your family's specific needs: Whether you have one child or several, think about your family's health history, your child's health status, and which diseases concern you most. Optional vaccines serve different purposes—some are convenience-focused, others address serious health risks. Discuss with your paediatrician which align with your priorities.
- Plan ahead for multiple children: If you have or are planning multiple children, consider bundling vaccination decisions into your annual health check-ups rather than treating each child separately. This can reduce decision fatigue and help you maintain consistency across your children's immunisation records.
- Don't compare your choices to other parents: This study shows families make different decisions based on their circumstances, and that's okay. What matters is that you're informed, you've consulted your doctor, and you've made a deliberate choice for your child's health—not that you've chosen the same vaccines as your neighbour.