Covid-19 vaccines remain fully subsidised as vaccination joins national immunisation schedules
Covid-19 vaccination will be incorporated into Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) and National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) from 12 Oct.
Updated XFG Moderna/Spikevax and XFG Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines will also be available at more than 600 General Practitioner (GP) clinics, all polyclinics and selected Mobile Vaccination Team (MVT) sites.
Source: Heng Swee Keat on Facebook, for illustrative purposes only
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Communicable Diseases Agency announced the changes on Wednesday (7 Oct).
Covid-19 vaccination recommended for seniors, medically vulnerable
Under the updated national immunisation schedules, Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for:
- Individuals aged 60 and above
- Medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above
- Residents of aged care facilities
Healthcare workers, as well as people living or working with medically vulnerable individuals, are also encouraged to get vaccinated.
Other individuals aged six months and above may continue to receive the Covid-19 vaccine if they wish to, MOH said.
MOH said individuals can consult their doctors about the benefits of vaccination for their specific circumstances.
Picture courtesy of the Ministry of Communications and Information, for illustrative purposes only
“As Covid-19 will continue to circulate and pose a risk of severe disease, particularly among older and medically vulnerable individuals, Covid-19 vaccination will be added to the NCIS and NAIS to ensure the vaccine remains accessible and affordable for the public,” MOH said.
Updated Covid-19 vaccines available from 12 Oct
The updated XFG Moderna/Spikevax and XFG Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines have been approved by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
Specifically, the multi-dose vial of Spikevax XFG provides active immunisation for children from six months of age, while the Comirnaty vaccine provides immunisation for individuals 65 years and older.
According to MOH, the updated formulations provide better protection against current and emerging Covid-19 strains.
Their safety profiles are comparable to previous versions, the ministry said.
Source: Spikevax website
From 12 Oct, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty will be available for those aged 12 and above.
Moderna/Spikevax will be available for those aged six months and above.
Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty will be made available to children aged six months to 11 years from 2 Nov.
For those aged six months and above who have previously been vaccinated, an additional dose should be received around one year, and at least five months, after their last vaccine dose.
Covid-19 vaccines remain fully subsidised
Covid-19 vaccination will continue to be fully subsidised for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long Term Pass Holders and certain Short Term Pass Holders.
The subsidy applies at participating CHAS GP clinics, polyclinics and MVT sites, until further review.
Covid-19 vaccinations will not be claimable under MediSave 500/700, or the MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care scheme from 1 January 2027, until further review.
Source: Milovan Dracun’s Images on Canva, for illustrative purposes only
More than 600 GP clinics will offer vaccines
Appointments at participating GP clinics can be booked through the national vaccination website.
People are advised to contact their chosen GP clinic to confirm vaccine availability before visiting.
Appointments at polyclinics can be booked through HealthHub.
Healthier SG enrollees are encouraged to visit their enrolled clinic for vaccination if it offers Covid-19 vaccination.
MVTs will also continue to be deployed across Singapore, particularly to bring vaccination services closer to seniors and residents of aged care facilities.
Source: Tan Wu Meng 陈有明 on Facebook, for illustrative purposes only
“Covid-19 waves will continue to occur from time to time and can cause severe disease among those who are older or medically vulnerable,” MOH said.
“We strongly encourage individuals in the recommended groups to stay up to date with their Covid-19 vaccination, to better protect themselves and those around them.”
Also read: MOH rebuts calls by People’s Power Party to suspend Covid-19 vaccinations
MOH rebuts calls by People’s Power Party to suspend Covid-19 vaccinations
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Featured image adapted from Prime Vaccines Pfizer website, Ministry of Communications and Information via Ministry of Health, Singapore on Facebook and Spikevax website.
