Walk in for 3rd COVID dose after 2 Sinovac jabs allowed in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Individuals who have taken their first two doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine can walk into selected vaccination centres without prior appointment for their third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Friday (24 December).

MOH previously announced on 2 December that those who have taken two doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac are strongly encouraged to take their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before 31 December three months after their second dose unless they are medically ineligible.

Beyond this time interval, the individual’s vaccination status will revert to 'additional dose needed’ and will be subject to the current vaccination-differentiated safe management measures if they do not do so.

There are currently about 29,000 individuals who are due for their third dose, after having received two doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac.

They can walk in to any vaccination centres offering the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, if they are aged 60 years and older, and Raffles City Convention Centre, which offers the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine and takes walk-ins until 31 December.

Antibody levels from the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine declines rapidly within three to six months after completion of the second dose, MOH said. Data indicates that while the mRNA vaccines, especially with booster vaccination, are protective against the Omicron variant, the Sinovac-CoronaVac and Sinopharm vaccines “result in weaker neutralising activity and may not be protective”, it added.

From 27 December, three vaccination centres – Bishan Community Club, Canberra Community Club, and Tanjong Pagar Community Club – will begin administering the Moderna vaccine, in addition to the Pfizer- BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine. Individuals who have booked a slot for either vaccine brand at any of these vaccination centres are required to keep to their bookings and chosen vaccine type.

In view of the rise in Omicron cases, there is a need to be boosted for better protection, according to MOH.

Those who have had their second dose of Pfizer- BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, but have not yet received an SMS notification can walk into any vaccination centre for a booster shot.

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