| Why is there a need for three mRNA doses for minimum protection? |
A: | Local and international data in ages 5 years and above show reduced vaccine protection against COVID-19 from around six months after completion of the second mRNA vaccine dose. The level of protection drops even further over time. Three doses of mRNA vaccine are therefore necessary to achieve a good level of protection. |
| I was infected with COVID-19 before I could complete the doses required for minimum protection. Is the COVID-19 infection considered as a dose?
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A: | For minimum protection, you are recommended to receive three doses of mRNA or Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines, or four doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac regardless of any past infections. |
| I have recovered from COVID-19. How soon can I receive my next vaccination dose?
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A: | You can schedule your next dose at appointment.vaccine.gov.sg to take place 28 days after the infection, if you are due for your vaccination.
For better effectiveness however, you are recommended to receive your next vaccine dose three months after the infection or the recommended interval for your next dose, whichever is later. |
| I have completed three doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac. Do I need to receive a fourth dose of Sinovac-CoronaVac? |
A: | Persons who have received three doses of COVID-19 vaccines, of which two or more doses of comprise Sinovac-CoronaVac*, are recommended to receive a fourth dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna/Spikevax or Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine to achieve minimum protection, unless medically ineligible for the abovementioned vaccines. However, they can receive Sinovac-CoronaVac as their fourth dose if they choose to.
Those who received an mRNA or the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine as their third dose should receive the fourth dose about five months thereafter.
Those who received the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine as their third vaccine dose should receive the fourth dose at three months thereafter, due to lower antibody levels generated by the third vaccine dose.
*Recommendations for Sinovac-CoronaVac should similarly apply to Sinopharm |
| Can I be vaccinated if I am ill on the day of vaccination?
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A: | If you are unwell, please reschedule your vaccination at appointment.vaccine.gov.sg or by clicking on the booking link sent via SMS to your phone.
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| Do all vaccine doses need to be of the same brand?
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A: | For Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna/Spikevax or Novavax/Nuvaxovid, your first two doses of vaccine should be of the same brand. Subsequent doses of vaccine can be of different brands, where applicable.
From time to time, the composition of a COVID-19 vaccine may be updated to target more recent virus variants. If you are due for a vaccine dose, you are recommended to receive the updated version of the vaccine. There is no need for your vaccine doses to be of the same composition. |
| Can I receive another (non-COVID-19) vaccine at the same time as COVID-19 vaccine? How long do I have to wait before getting other vaccines?
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A: | An interval of at least 14 days before or after a non-COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged.
However, persons above 5 years old can be vaccinated, even if they had received a non-COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Children aged 6 months to 5 years may be vaccinated under the National Vaccination Programme within 14 days of a non-COVID-19 vaccine, if recommended / referred to do so by a doctor via a memo. |
| I have received my second booster as recommended previously. Do I still need to receive another booster in 2023?
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A: | Regardless of the number and composition (monovalent/bivalent) of previous booster doses received, the following groups who have achieved minimum protection (e.g. 3 doses of mRNA vaccines) are recommended to receive in 2023, one booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine at an interval of one year after their last booster dose:
(a) ages 60 years and above, (b) medically vulnerable persons who are aged 12 years and above, or, (c) residents living in aged care facilities.
They can start to receive it from five months after their last booster dose. Other persons aged 12 years and above may also do so if they choose to. |