People in Singapore can choose Pfizer or Moderna shots at vaccination centres: report
SINGAPORE — People in Singapore who are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination can choose from the list of centres administering either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shots, according to a report by The Straits Times (ST).
There are currently 27 vaccination centres located across the island where the Pfizer shots are being administered. Twenty polyclinics and Public Health Preparedness Clinics are also providing the same vaccination type.
Last month, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that Singapore would begin using the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from 17 March at four vaccination centres: Hong Kah North Community Club (CC), Marsiling CC, Punggol 21 CC and Radin Mas CC. Seven more centres administering the Moderna shots have since been added: Kolam Ayer Community Club, Buona Vista Community Club, Potong Pasir Community Club, Tampines East Community Club, Woodlands Community Club, Kebun Baru Community Club, and Yew Tee Community Club.
According to a set of FAQs on MOH website, one question states, "Which vaccine will we get? Will we be able to choose which brand of vaccines we receive?" to which the answer is, "You will not be able to choose the brand of vaccine you receive. To date, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been authorised for pandemic use by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Both mRNA vaccines and have met the stringent safety and efficacy criteria required by HSA. In administering our vaccination programme, we will consider which vaccines are most appropriate for different population subgroups in Singapore."
On 5 April, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament said the MOH will be conducting further studies to monitor and review the extent and duration of immunity provided by the COVID-19 vaccines.
Trial studies have shown that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines – the only two vaccines approved for use here – proved to be effective for at least six and three months, respectively. Immunity from Moderna's vaccine should last at least a year, said the company a month after the study results were released in December last year.
On the same day, Dr Janil announced that residents in Singapore aged under 45 will be invited to book their COVID-19 vaccination slots from June.
About half, or close to 500,000 residents, of those aged 45 to 59 – who were invited to book their slots from 24 March – have already registered for their slots, Dr Janil said.
About 60 per cent of eligible seniors aged 70 and above and close to 70 per cent of those aged 60 to 69 have received the COVID-19 vaccination or booked their vaccination appointments to date, he added.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Related stories:
Singapore to begin using Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from 17 March
Singapore residents aged under 45 can book COVID-19 vaccination slots from June: Janil
MOH to conduct studies on COVID-19 vaccines' immunity duration: Janil
