The Sinovac-CoronoVac COVID-19 vaccine will be included in the National Vaccination Programme (NVP), the Multi-Ministry Taskforce said. This follows the interim authorisation of the vaccine by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
This will allow those who are medically ineligible to take any mRNA vaccine to take three doses of Sinovac-CoronacVac.
Those who had allergies or severe adverse reaction to a first dose of mRNA vaccine should take two more doses of Sinovac-CoronacVac. For those who had an allergic reaction after the second dose of mRNA vaccine should take one dose of Sinovac-CoronacVac as a booster when they are eligible.
As the Sinovac-CoronoVac vaccine is of relatively lower vaccine efficacy, those who have received one or two doses of Sinovac-CoronacVac are strongly encouraged to complete a three-dose primary regime with a mRNA vaccine as it offers more protection.
Do note that Sinovac-CoronaVac will not be offered as a booster for persons who had already completed two doses of mRNA vaccine without developing allergies or severe adverse reactions.
The three-dose primary series regime of Sinovac-CoronaVac under the NVP will be offered to those who have not completed their full course of vaccination, including persons who had only received one or two doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac previously. This will help improve protection for persons vaccinated with Sinovac-CoronaVac.
Persons aged 18 and above who are medically ineligible to complete a two-dose mRNA vaccine regime due to allergies or severe adverse reactions after their first dose will be invited to receive their Sinovac-CoronaVac doses to complete the 3-dose primary series regime from 20 October.
An SMS with a personalised booking link will be sent to book a new appointment on www.vaccine.gov.sg. More details on these clinics will be shared on MOH’s website from 24 October 2021.
Sinovac-CoronaVac for those aged 12 to 17 years old
Sinovac-CoronaVac has not been approved for general use for individuals aged 12 to 17 years. However, those in this age band who are medically ineligible to complete a full 2-dose regime of the mRNA vaccines will be offered a 3-dose primary series using Sinovac-CoronaVac under a dedicated public health programme. They will be closely monitored by trained medical personnel under this public health programme. The Ministry of Health will contact eligible persons in this age group on how they can receive the Sinovac-CoronaVac.
Vaccination status
Do note that those who have taken two doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac will be regarded as fully vaccinated for four months after the second dose, or 31 December 2021, whichever is later.
For travellers who may have taken only two doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac in their home country, they will be regarded as vaccinated but only for a limited period of 30 days.
For those medically ineligible for vaccines
Those who are medically ineligible for all mRNA and Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccines under the National Vaccination Programme will be exempted from vaccination-differentiated safe management measures, if they are certified as such. More details will be announced at a later date
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