| 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 walk in to any of the Joint Testing Vaccination Centres (JTVC) or polyclinics 28 days after the infection, if you are due for your vaccination.
Alternatively, you may book an appointment at a JTVC or Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) using this link.
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 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. They can also 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.
For now, Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine continues to be included under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP)^. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have successfully obtained full registration. However, if there is no application for Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine to be fully registered, NVP will lapse for Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, by 30 September 2024. Nevertheless, Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine will continue to be available at private clinics which have applied to use it under the Special Access Route (SAR).
*Recommendations for Sinovac-CoronaVac should similarly apply to Sinopharm ^Under the National Vaccination Programme, vaccination is free for all Singaporean Citizens, Permanent Resident, Long Term Pass Holders and certain Short Term Pass holders.
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| Can I be vaccinated if I am ill?
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A: | If you are unwell, please do not go for your vaccination. You should only do so after you have fully recovered.
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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 additional dose as recommended previously. Do I still need to receive another additional dose in 2023/2024?
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A: | Regardless of the number and composition (monovalent/bivalent) of previous additional doses received, an additional dose of the updated vaccine around 1 year (and no earlier than 5 months) after the last dose received is:
(a) Recommended for all persons aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals and residents of aged care facilities; (b) Encouraged for all individuals aged 6 months and above, in particular, healthcare workers, as well as household members and caregivers of medically vulnerable individuals. |