From Oct 7, those aged 18 years and above can also take the Sinovac-CoronaVac as a booster, without the need for proof of medical ineligibility for mRNA or Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines.
“This is to encourage those who have been vaccinated with three doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac to achieve a minimum level of protection against COVID-19 with the fourth dose, although the recommendation is still for these individuals to receive the updated Bivalent Moderna/Spikevax, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines for better protection,” said MOH.
It strongly urged individuals who have received three doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac to receive their fourth vaccine dose if they have not yet done so.
The ministry also noted that the Omicron XBB variant wave, which has been driving a recent resurgence of cases, is subsiding.
It added that with multiple subvariants circulating globally, new variants may also form.
“With the recovery in international travel, a new highly transmissible variant can enter and spread in Singapore without much advance warning. As such, we cannot be complacent. It is now even more important that we shore up our defences ahead of any future evolution of the COVID-19 virus, and prepare in advance to respond quickly should the need arise.”
The bivalent vaccine was first rolled out on Oct 14 to people who have not achieved minimum protection, or those aged 50 and above who received their last dose more than five months ago.
It was then extended to healthcare workers in the public and private sectors from Oct 25.