Singapore to Include Covid-19 Vaccine in Immunisation Program Starting Oct 12

Starting October 12, Singapore will officially include Covid-19 vaccinations in both its national childhood and adult immunisation schedules. This initiative aims to ensure that vaccinations remain accessible to the public, especially as Covid-19 continues to present risks, particularly to older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

Target Groups for Vaccination

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has identified specific groups who are highly encouraged to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. This includes:

• Individuals aged 60 years and older
• Medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above
• Residents of aged care facilities
• Healthcare workers
• Individuals living or working closely with vulnerable populations

According to the MOH, anyone aged six months and older who wishes to be vaccinated can still do so.

Availability of Updated Vaccines

Approved by the Health Sciences Authority, the updated versions of the vaccines by Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) will be available to the public starting October 12.

The vaccination rollout plan is as follows:

• Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty: Available for individuals aged 12 and above
• Moderna/Spikevax: Available for those aged six months and older
• Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty for children aged six months to 11 years: Available from November 2

For Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and specific short-term pass holders, the vaccination will be fully subsidised at participating clinics, polyclinics, and mobile vaccination units until further notice.

Vaccination Recommendations

For infants and young children receiving the Covid-19 vaccine for the first time, the MOH advises:

• Two doses, spaced eight weeks apart, for children aged six months to four years
• One dose for individuals aged five and older

Those aged six months and up who have previously been vaccinated should consider getting an additional dose approximately one year, and at least five months, after their last vaccination.

How to Schedule Appointments

To facilitate accessibility, individuals can make appointments directly with participating GP clinics or schedule through HealthHub for polyclinic vaccinations. Additionally, mobile vaccination teams will be deployed throughout Singapore, with their latest schedules available online.

Ensuring that accessible Covid-19 vaccinations are available to all is a crucial step in protecting the health of our community.