Despite the easing of pandemic protocols, parents still hope to protect their kids with the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Finally, young children aged between six months old and four years old can soon receive their vaccination shots against COVID-19.
Starting on the 25th of October, Singapore will be offering COVID-19 vaccination for younger kids in the country. In just a few more months, we will all be able to mark the third year since the outbreak started. Indeed, it was a roller coaster experience for everybody as it had never been an easy journey since it began.
Back then, it was an unknown virus, which is why people, even experts, found it difficult to counter. Fortunately, after months of studying the viral disease, experts were able to come up with vaccines against it.
The adults were the first to get the vaccination, particularly frontliners and those at risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection. After that, the teens and children had their chance as well. It is now the perfect time for younger children to get their vaccination shots against the viral disease.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Aged 6 Months to 4 Years Starts Soon
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On the 7th of October, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that Singapore would start offering COVID-19 vaccinations for children. The target age range this time will be children between 6 months old and 4 years old, and it will begin on the 25th of October.
Along with this, MOH also said that children between the ages of five and 11 would be able to get their booster doses, which will also begin on that same day.
Ensuring the Safety of Children
The primary goal of the Singaporean government in doing this is to ensure the safety of children, especially young children.
According to MOH, they aim “to ensure that our children attain a minimum level of protection and remain up-to-date with their vaccinations.”
Kids who are in the age range of 6 months and 4 years can receive Moderna or Spikevax vaccine. It is the vaccine which will serve as their primary vaccination.
On the other hand, children aged between five and 11 can receive either Pfizer-BioNTech or Comirnaty vaccine. This COVID-19 vaccine for children also serves as an option for their booster dose.
Afterwards, Singapore’s Ministry of Health approved the Expert Committee’s recommendation for rolling out the COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) for children. Kids aged between 6 months to 4 years can get their vaccine shots this October 2022.
MOH follows the authorisation given by the Health Science Authority (HSA) regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. With this, Singapore plans to use Moderna or Spikevax in vaccinating younger children.
Image Source: iStock
Officials also stated that these two vaccines are the best choice for primary vaccination for this specific age group. Additionally, experts say that the recommended Moderna or Sikevac vaccine dosage for this age group is two doses of 25 micrograms each.
The length interval for the two vaccine shots will be approximately eight weeks apart. MOH also stated that the three-dose COVID-19 vaccination plan for younger children recently received its approval.
To assure parents, officials announced that the upcoming doses are expected to arrive by the end of the year. With this, parents with children aged between 6 months to 4 years can plan ahead for their little ones’ COVID-19 vaccination doses.
On the 18th of October, the registration process will begin to take place. Parents or guardians of kids between six months and four will be able to register their interest for their child or ward to receive the vaccination, either of the two.
Rolling Out the Bivalent Vaccines
According to the Ministry of Health, they will start rolling out bivalent vaccines for booster jabs later this month.
The “updated booster” is how people, especially experts, refer to bivalent vaccines. It has the capability to provide better protection against newer COVID-19 variants.
This explains why MOH officials planned to roll out the new three-dose plans later in the year. With the new COVID-19 vaccines, younger children who will receive the doses get protection from progressing COVID-19 variants.
Furthermore, adults who plan to get their booster shots, later on, can get better protection with the new vaccines. This applies to those who plan to receive the Moderna or Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, those considered immuno-compromised of COVID-19 infection need to receive shots of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. This also means that those aged 50 and above need to update their COVID-19 vaccinations without waiting for the improved shots.
Currently, the Pfizer or Comirnaty bivalent vaccine is undergoing evaluation. Along with this, the Ministry of Health is expecting that both these vaccines will be available before the year ends.
Aside from that, they also announced a transition away from the current system of counting jabs. This serves as a new and recommended alternative to the initially proposed dosage plan. Instead of counting booster shots, Singaporeans are encouraged to follow an up-to-date vaccination plan.
Furthermore, the new proposed plan rolls out like an influenza vaccination schedule. In it, people follow a periodical plan of receiving shots that protect them from new strains of the endemic influenza virus.
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