People in Singapore who are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination can choose from the list of centres administering either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shots, according to media reports. The two vaccines are administered in separate locations across the city-state.
The Straits Times reported that people who want to choose which COVID-19 vaccine to take can now refer to the Ministry of Health's (MOH's) website. The Moderna shot is being given at 11 out of the 38 centres, while the rest are using the Pfizer-BioNTech product.
Last month, the MOH announced that Singapore would begin using the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from March 17 at four vaccination centres: Hong Kah North Community Club (CC), Marsiling CC, Punggol 21 CC and Radin Mas CC. Seven more centres administering the Moderna shots have since been added: Kolam Ayer Community Club, Buona Vista Community Club, Potong Pasir Community Club, Tampines East Community Club, Woodlands Community Club, Kebun Baru Community Club, and Yew Tee Community Club.
According to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the MOH website, one question states, "Which vaccine will we get? Will we be able to choose which brand of vaccines we receive?" to which the answer is, "You will not be able to choose the brand of vaccine you receive. To date, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been authorised for pandemic use by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Both mRNA vaccines and have met the stringent safety and efficacy criteria required by HSA. In administering our vaccination programme, we will consider which vaccines are most appropriate for different population subgroups in Singapore."
On April 5, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament said the MOH will be conducting further studies to monitor and review the extent and duration of immunity provided by the COVID-19 vaccines.
Trial studies have shown that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines – the only two vaccines approved for use here – proved to be effective for at least six and three months, respectively. Immunity from Moderna's vaccine should last at least a year, said the company a month after the study results were released in December last year.