COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years to start from Oct 25 – CNA

MOH said it would also roll out bivalent vaccines for booster jabs later this month.

"This updated bivalent vaccine will provide better protection against newer COVID-19 variants," it said.

"MOH will therefore replace the original Moderna/Spikevax vaccines with the updated bivalent version from Oct 17, 2022, for all vaccinations using the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine, for all adults aged 18 years and above.

"Hence, for persons aged 50 and above, or for persons yet to achieve minimum protection, as they are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection, they should take the bivalent vaccines."

The Pfizer/Comirnaty bivalent vaccine is undergoing evaluation and is expected to be available by the end of this year, the ministry added.

It also announced a transition away from the current system of counting jabs.

"Instead of counting the number of shots and boosters we receive, we will transit to a new definition of up-to-date vaccination," the ministry said.

"This is similar to influenza vaccination, where individuals are advised to take them periodically, so as to protect ourselves against new strains of the endemic influenza virus as they arise."

Under this regime, MOH said it would recommend that those aged five years and above complete three mRNA or Novavax/Nuvaxovid doses, or four Sinovac-CoronaVac doses, to achieve minimum protection.

"After achieving minimum protection, persons aged 50 years and above should receive an additional booster dose between five months to one year from their last dose, to keep up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination," said the ministry, adding that it recommended taking the bivalent vaccine for this booster.

"Individuals will be considered up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they have received at least the minimum protection and their last vaccine dose was received within the past one year."

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COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years to start from Oct 25 - CNA