Parents no longer have to wonder “when can kids get the Covid vaccine” as the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) extends the authorisation of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 5 and 11 years old.
In a press release by the Ministry of Health (MOH) last Friday (10 December), it was reported that the Multi-Ministry Taskforce has accepted the Expert Committee’s recommendation to use the paediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for this age group.
When Can Kids Aged 5 to 11 Get The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid Vaccine?
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The vaccination regime for kids aged 5 to 11 was reported to commence before the end of this year. This is also once the country receives the deliveries of the vaccine doses.
The recommended dosage for children in this age group is one-third of that used in persons aged 12 and above. This is two paediatric doses with 10 micrograms each, 21 days apart.
The Pfizer-BioNTech will be the very first Covid-19 vaccine approved by HSA for use in Singapore for children around this age group.
The vaccine was also recommended to use for kids in this age range by the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination. They have assessed that its benefits outweigh the risks when used in a paediatric dosage for ages 5 to 11 years old. This is especially with the ongoing community transmission as well the emergence of the Omicron variant.
MOH has signed a new supply agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech for the Covid-19 vaccine. The shipment of the doses is expected to arrive before the end of December.
The ministry will be working with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to roll out vaccinations for this “school-going age group”.
“We plan to start vaccinations before the end of this year. Further details will be announced by MOE and ECDA shortly,” says MOH.
Booster Shots To Also Be Extended To Those Aged 18 To 29 Years Old
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“While the primary series vaccinations provide excellent protection against severe disease, there is evidence of waning protection against infection over time, albeit at a slower pace in younger persons,” adds the ministry in their statement.
Therefore, the Expert Committee has assessed that booster vaccination for 18 to 29-year-olds is beneficial for protection against Covid-19. Starting from 14 December 2021, the vaccination booster programme will be extended to individuals in this age group.
Five months after they get to complete their primary vaccination series, all eligible persons will be able to receive their booster shots of the mRNA vaccine.
You will be invited to make an appointment for your booster dose through an SMS with a personalised booking link. This will be sent to your registered mobile number so that you can book an appointment here.
Eligible individuals may receive their booster dose at any Vaccinate Centre or participating Public Health Preparedness Clinic.
Those who are eligible to take a booster shot but have not received an SMS invitation may walk in to any Moderna Vaccination Centre to receive their booster vaccination without having to book an appointment.
Update On The Vaccination Programme In Singapore
According to MOH as of 10 December, 96 per cent of the eligible population and 87 per cent of the total population have completed their full regimen or have already received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, 30 per cent of the total population have taken their booster shots.
“While this is encouraging, we need more people to be vaccinated and boosted, especially given the emergence of the Omicron variant, which is likely to established itself all over the world in the coming couple of months,” reminds MOH.
The ministry also notes how vaccinations and boosters are the best protection against an unknown and highly transmissible Covid-19 variant.
“MOH therefore encourages everyone who is eligible for boosters to take them as soon as possible, and not to wait. The two mRNA vaccines can be used interchangeably as boosters,” MOH concludes.
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