When your child's doctor recommends a vaccine that isn't covered by the national programme, how do you decide? Researchers at Frontiers in Public Health recently asked 16 Singapore mothers exactly this question, exploring how parents make choices about optional vaccines they pay for themselves.
The study found that mothers don't follow a simple checklist. Instead, they juggle five overlapping concerns: whether the vaccine is safe, where they can find trustworthy information, how much it costs, how much they trust their doctor's advice, and practical matters like clinic location and appointment times.
Safety is the starting point—but information gaps create worry
Every single mother in the study said safety was her first concern. This isn't hesitation; it's responsible parenting. The problem is that many felt uncertain about whether vaccines were truly safe because healthcare providers didn't explain things clearly enough. When mothers lacked confidence in their doctor's explanation, they looked elsewhere for answers—sometimes turning to WhatsApp groups, online forums, or friends rather than reliable medical sources.
Who you trust shapes everything else
Mothers felt most confident about vaccine decisions when their doctor spent time explaining the vaccine, answered questions patiently, and didn't make them feel rushed. In contrast, when consultations felt hurried or dismissive, mothers became more doubtful and less likely to proceed. This matters because Singapore families often seek input from family members and social networks—which can be valuable, but only if the information is accurate. When mothers didn't trust their doctor, they were more likely to rely on less reliable sources.
Cost matters, but not in the way you might think
Money was obviously important, but mothers didn't simply say yes or no based on price alone. Instead, they weighed immediate costs against long-term health benefits, and some used price as one factor among many to prioritise which vaccines were most essential for their child.
Build confidence through better conversations with your doctor
- Write down your questions before appointments: Is this vaccine safe? Why does my child need it? What are possible side effects?
- Ask your doctor to explain their recommendation in plain language, not medical jargon, and request time for follow-up questions.
- If you're still uncertain after speaking with your doctor, ask for reliable written resources rather than seeking answers online.