| [Updated 11 May] Who should receive a booster?
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A: | Individuals aged 12 years and older are recommended to receive a booster dose from about five months after the last dose of their primary vaccination series*, or as soon as possible thereafter, in order to maintain good protection against COVID-19. Persons who had recovered from COVID-19 and completed the recommended COVID-19 primary vaccination are similarly recommended to receive a booster dose. This should also be from about five months after the last dose of their primary vaccination series and should be received at least 28 days after the infection. Individuals aged 12-17 years are recommended to receive a booster dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, while individuals aged 18 years and older are recommended to receive a booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine or the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine- under the National Vaccination Programme.
For those who received the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine as their third vaccine dose as part of a three-dose primary vaccination series incorporating the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccines, they should receive a booster dose of a mRNA vaccine under the National Vaccination Programme earlier - from three months after the third dose of the vaccine, due to lower antibody levels generated by the third vaccine dose.
This booster dose should not be delayed beyond nine months after the primary vaccine course. *The primary vaccine course may comprise of either: · Two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna/Spikevax or the Novavax/Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine; · Two or more doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccines as part of a three-dose primary vaccination series; or · A complete primary vaccination regimen of other WHO EUL vaccines. S/N | Scenario | Booster recommended? | 1 | Completed 2 doses of mRNA or Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines | Yes | 2 | Completed 3 doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac | Yes | 3 | Completed primary series regimen of other WHO EUL vaccines: · Completed 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson · Completed 2 doses of AstraZeneca, Covishield, Covaxin, Novavax · Completed 3 doses of Sinopharm | Yes | 4 | Fully vaccinated persons, who have previously recovered from infection | Yes |
Note: Recommendations for Sinovac-CoronaVac will apply to Sinopharm as well.
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| Why is there a need for a booster dose? |
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| Local and international data show reduced vaccine protection against COVID-19 infection from around six months after completion of the last vaccine dose in the primary vaccination series or earlier. The level of protection drops even further over time. There is also some reduction in protection against severe disease, particularly in older persons. In addition, international studies have shown that the protection against Omicron variant infection by a primary vaccination series is weaker compared to previous variants, and that boosters increase the protection against infection and severe illnesses caused by Omicron. As such, booster vaccination is crucial to ensure continued protection against COVID-19. |
| [Updated 25 Apr] I tested positive on self-administered ART and have yet to complete my COVID-19 primary vaccination series. When can I take my next dose?
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A: | You should proceed to complete your vaccination. It is safe for you to receive two doses of mRNA vaccines for the primary vaccination series, and you are also recommended to receive one dose of the mRNA vaccine as a booster. If you are not medically eligible for the mRNA vaccines, you should complete your vaccination using alternative vaccines (e.g. Novavax/Nuvaxovid, Sinovac). If you are due for your vaccination based on the schedules recommended in the national vaccination programme (e.g. to receive a booster dose about 5 months after two doses of mRNA vaccines), you may receive your next vaccine dose from 28 days after the infection. |
| Persons who are immunocompromised are already required to receive three doses as part of the primary series. Do they need to receive a booster as well? |
A: | Persons with moderate to severe immunocompromise are recommended to receive four doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, comprising a three-dose enhanced primary series and a booster dose for the fourth dose. There is currently no recommendation for a second booster (a fifth vaccine dose) in this group.
Some immunocompromised persons may have followed the vaccination regime recommended for the general population andreceived the third dose as a booster dose after receiving the first two doses as part of the primary series) instead. In consultation with their doctors, these patients should receive a fourth dose of the vaccine at around five months after their third dose.
The recommendation for immunocompromised persons to receive four doses applies to persons aged 12 years and above. Persons aged 5 to 11 years who are immunocompromised are recommended three doses as part of the enhanced primary series, but no booster dose is recommended for this age group at this time. |
| Should persons who had completed the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine three dose primary series receive a booster? What booster should they receive? |
A: | Persons who had received two or more doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac* COVID-19 vaccines as part of a three-dose primary vaccination series are recommended to receive a booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech / Comirnaty or Moderna/Spikevax mRNA vaccines, unless medically ineligible for the mRNA vaccine. Such persons who received an mRNA vaccine as their third dose should receive the booster dose about five months thereafter. However, those who received the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine as their third vaccine dose should do so at three months thereafter, due to lower antibody levels generated by the third vaccine dose. Persons who were fully vaccinated with other WHO EUL vaccines are also recommended to receive a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine about five months after completion of their primary series vaccination. *Recommendations for Sinovac-Coronavac should similarly apply to Sinopharm |
| Will individuals below the age of 12 be offered the booster dose?
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A: | Persons below the age of 12 years are currently not yet offered to receive a booster dose. MOH and EC19V will continue to monitor data on this and update the recommendations for this group of persons as necessary
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| [Updated 25 Apr] Will the booster dose affect my vaccination status?
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A: | Individuals aged 12 years and above are considered “fully vaccinated” for 270 days after the last dose in their primary vaccination series. They should receive their booster dose at around five months after the last dose in their primary vaccination series (or three months for those who received the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine as their third vaccine dose) to maintain their fully vaccinated status beyond the 270 days. If your vaccination status is not accurately reflected, you may raise your query at https://go.gov.sg/vds-query-form. |
| [Updated 11 May] Does my booster dose have to be of the same brand as my first 2 doses?
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| If you are aged 18 years and older, your booster doses can be of either brand of the mRNA vaccines or the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine offered under the National Vaccination Programme. Persons aged between 12 to 17 years old are currently only eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech/Cominarty vaccine for the booster dose.
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| Is a booster dose safe?
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A: | Yes, the EC19V has assessed that the benefits of another dose of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the recommended groups. There is now good international data that a booster dose of the vaccine is safe, enhances protection against COVID-19 infection and ensures continued excellent protection against severe disease.
Most side effects are mild or moderate, and usually get better within a few days. As with all vaccines and medications, there is a small risk of serious adverse events. Countries which have been providing booster doses have not reported any safety concerns. |
| [Updated 11 May] What is the dosage used for booster vaccination?
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A: | The dosages for booster vaccination by vaccine types are:
• 50 mcg for the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine • 30 mcg for the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine • 5 mcg for the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine
The booster dosage of the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine is less than the 100 mcg used for the first two doses. This is because data has shown that a 50 mcg dose effectively boosts the immune protection against COVID-19. If you have received a 100 mcg dose for your booster vaccination, there are no safety concerns in having done so.
The booster dosages of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine is the same as that used for the first two doses.
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