When to Take Booster Shot Singapore: Guidelines and Recommendations

Singapore

When to Take Booster Shot Singapore: Guidelines and Recommendations

Table of contents

If you’re wondering when to take a COVID-19 booster shot in Singapore, you’re not alone. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest vaccination guidelines to protect yourself and those around you. Luckily, the Ministry of Health has released recommendations on who should get the booster shot and when.

People lining up at a vaccination center in Singapore for booster shots

Eligibility and scheduling for booster shots in Singapore depend on several factors, including your age, vaccination history, and the type of vaccine you received. For example, persons aged 12 and above are recommended to receive an additional booster dose from around five months after their last vaccination. The updated bivalent vaccine is recommended for the additional booster dose. You can visit the Ministry of Health website to find out more about eligibility and scheduling for booster shots.

Key Takeaways

  • Eligibility and scheduling for booster shots in Singapore depend on several factors, including age, vaccination history, and type of vaccine received.
  • Persons aged 12 and above should receive an additional booster dose from around five months after their last vaccination.
  • The updated bivalent vaccine is recommended for the additional booster dose.

Eligibility and Scheduling for Booster Shots

People lining up at a vaccination center, checking eligibility and scheduling for booster shots. Signs indicating "Booster Shot Schedule" and "Eligibility Criteria" are visible

If you have completed your vaccination regimen against COVID-19, you may be eligible for a booster shot in Singapore. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated its guidelines on booster shots, and it is important to understand the eligibility criteria before scheduling your appointment.

Determining Eligibility

Persons aged 12 and above are eligible for a booster shot in Singapore. The updated bivalent vaccine is recommended for the additional booster dose. If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, you may be invited to receive your booster dose of a Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) mRNA vaccine. An SMS with a personalized booking link will be sent to the earlier registered mobile number for you to book a new appointment on www.vaccine.gov.sg.

Singaporean citizens, Permanent Residents, Long Term Pass Holders, and Short Term Pass Holders are all eligible for a booster shot. If you received your first two doses of the vaccine overseas, you are still eligible for a booster shot in Singapore.

Booking Your Appointment

To schedule your booster shot appointment, you can visit the vaccination centre where you received your first two doses. You can also register for a booster shot appointment on the National Vaccination Programme website at www.vaccine.gov.sg.

When booking your appointment, you will need to provide your NRIC or FIN number, as well as your vaccination records. You can also reschedule your appointment if needed.

It is important to note that the MOH recommends waiting around five months after your last vaccination before receiving the booster shot. This will help ensure that you are fully protected against COVID-19.

In conclusion, if you have completed your vaccination regimen against COVID-19, you may be eligible for a booster shot in Singapore. It is important to understand the eligibility criteria and schedule your appointment accordingly. By doing so, you can help protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19.

Types of Vaccines and Their Effectiveness

Different vaccines displayed with effectiveness data. Calendar showing when to take booster shot in Singapore

mRNA Vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna/Spikevax

The Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna/Spikevax vaccines are both mRNA vaccines that have been authorised by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for use in Singapore. These vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19.

According to clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine has an efficacy rate of 95% against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, while the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine has an efficacy rate of 94.1%.

Both vaccines require two doses to be fully effective. The recommended interval between the doses is 21 days for Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and 28 days for Moderna/Spikevax.

Other Vaccines: Sinovac-CoronaVac and Novavax/Nuvaxovid

The Sinovac-CoronaVac and Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines are other vaccines that have been authorised by the HSA for use in Singapore. The Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine is an inactivated virus vaccine, while the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.

Clinical trials have shown that the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine has an efficacy rate of 51% against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, while the Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine has an efficacy rate of 90.4%.

Both vaccines require two doses to be fully effective. The recommended interval between the doses is 14 to 28 days for Sinovac-CoronaVac and 21 days for Novavax/Nuvaxovid.

It is important to note that while the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine has a lower efficacy rate compared to the mRNA vaccines, it still offers protection against severe disease and hospitalisation.

Overall, all vaccines that have been authorised by the HSA for use in Singapore have been shown to be safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19.

If you have received the full vaccination course, you are already well-protected against COVID-19. However, as the virus continues to evolve, it is important to stay vigilant and follow public health measures to minimise the risk of transmission. If you are eligible for a booster dose, it is recommended that you take it to further enhance your protection against COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

People lining up at a vaccination center, holding vaccination cards, and asking about booster shots in Singapore

When is one eligible for a booster jab in Singapore?

If you have completed the full vaccination regimen, you may be eligible for a booster shot. Currently, the booster shot is available to those who have completed the full regimen of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and have been fully vaccinated for at least six months.

How can foreigners avail themselves of the booster vaccine in Singapore?

Foreigners who have completed the full vaccination regimen in Singapore may be eligible for a booster shot. You can check with the clinic or healthcare provider where you received your initial vaccinations or visit a participating General Practitioner (GP) clinic to check your eligibility and book an appointment.

The recommended interval between the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shot is at least six months.

Can I walk in for a booster shot, or do I need to register?

You may walk in to any of the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres (JTVCs) or polyclinics if you are eligible for a booster shot. Alternatively, you may book an appointment at a participating General Practitioner (GP) clinic using the provided link, or at selected polyclinics through the HealthHub booking system.

Are there any costs associated with receiving the COVID vaccine booster in Singapore?

The COVID-19 vaccine booster is free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore, which includes Singapore Permanent Residents, and Employment Pass holders.

What criteria define ‘fully vaccinated’ status in Singapore?

In Singapore, you are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have received the full regimen of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.

Scroll to Top