EXTENSION OF NOVAVAX/NUVAXOVID COVID-19 VACCINE TO INDIVIDUALS AGED 12 TO 17 YEARS

        The Ministry of Health has accepted the recommendations of the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination to extend the use of the Novavax/Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 12 to 17 years under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP). This follows the Health Sciences Authority’s authorisation of the vaccine for use in this age group.

2       From 15 May 2023, individuals aged 12 to 17 years may book an appointment to receive the vaccine at any of the 19 Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) offering the vaccine. The full list of clinics offering the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine can be found at the Annex. To locate the nearest vaccination site and their operating hours, please visit www.gowhere.gov.sg/vaccine.

3       With this extension, individuals aged 12 to 17 years who are medically ineligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, or who wish to receive a non-mRNA vaccine, will now have the option of receiving a non-mRNA vaccine under the NVP to complete their recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.

4        To achieve minimum protection, individuals aged 12 to 17 years are recommended to receive three doses of the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine. The first and second doses are spaced eight weeks apart, while the recommended interval between the second and third doses is five months. Novavax/Nuvaxovid may be taken as a booster even if an individual had previously only received mRNA vaccines.

5        Vaccination remains our primary defence against COVID-19. We encourage all eligible individuals to complete the vaccine doses, including any boosters, recommended for them so as to minimise the risk of developing severe illness.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
12 MAY 2023