COVID-19 Vaccines

List for COVID-19 vaccine FAQ

• What are the types of COVID-19 vaccines and how do they work?

  After getting a vaccination, your immune system is trained to recognise the virus and produce antibodies which attack the virus and remain in our bodies. In doing so, the immune system will be able to recognise the virus in the event of an infection and fight off the virus before it causes any symptoms.

  
  

  Pfizer-BioNTech / Cominarty and Moderna are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, while Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines use an inactivated vaccine technology.

  
  

  • mRNA vaccines contain material from the COVID-19 virus that instructs our cells to produce a protein that is unique to the virus. After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our bodies recognise that the protein should not be present and work to produce antibodies to attack the virus.
  • Inactivated vaccine technology uses weakened or inactive viral particles to stimulate our body to produce antibodies that will help neutralise the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine employs a modified delivery virus (that usually causes symptoms such as the common cold) to introduce SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins to the immune system, which then mounts a defence against it. The delivery virus has been attenuated or modified so you won’t develop the common cold when administered with this vaccine.

  
  

  Some vaccines require multiple doses, with the doses given weeks or months apart. This allows us to produce longer-lasting antibodies and develop memory cells, so that our bodies and immune systems will be able to quickly fight the virus if we are exposed to it again.

  
  

  Read more about how vaccines work.

• Which COVID-19 vaccine is Singapore using?

  The Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech / Comirnaty are currently being used in the nationwide vaccination programme while the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines are available under the Special Access Route (SAR) at private healthcare providers like Parkway Shenton. Vaccines under the SAR are not subsidised.

• What are the differences and similarities between the COVID-19 vaccine brands?

  The Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech / Comirnaty vaccines use mRNA (messenger RNA) technology to inject pieces of the virus’ genetic code into your body. This provokes an immune system response, producing antibodies that enable the body to defend itself against the coronavirus. Both vaccines have similar efficacy rates with Moderna at 94% and Pfizer BioNTech / Comirnaty at 95%. The only difference between these two vaccines is that Moderna requires 2 doses taken at least 4 weeks apart while Pfizer BioNTech / Comirnaty requires 2 doses taken at least 3 weeks apart.

  
  

  Sinopharm and Sinovac are inactivated whole virus vaccines, which means the virus is weakened or deactivated. Inactivated whole virus vaccines are well-established and effective in triggering an immune response. Sinovac and Sinopharm's inactivated virus vaccines have been shown to be 50.4 – 79% effective in preventing symptomatic infection.

  
  

  Other types of vaccines include modified viral vector vaccines which deliver ‘instructions’ to create viral proteins and thus trigger the production of antibodies, and protein subunit vaccines which use specific parts of the vaccine to produce an immune response. The Oxford AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, CanSino and Sputnik V vaccines use a modified viral vector while Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine.

• Why is getting a COVID-19 vaccine important?

  The Singapore government has advised that COVID-19 vaccination, together with safe distancing measures, contact tracing and proactive testing, will help to protect us and our loved ones against COVID-19. Vaccination will not only reduce the number of people susceptible to the coronavirus, but also reduce the chances of transmission in the community.

• Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

  The Ministry of Health in Singapore has stated that only vaccines that comply with the World Health Organisation’s guidelines and adhere to strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy have been identified and will be used in Singapore.

  
  

  Learn more about how the vaccinations are accessed and monitored on gov.sg.

• What to expect during and after vaccination?

  Firstly, be on time for your vaccination appointment and ensure you have your official identification with you such as your NRIC or FIN.

  As the COVID-19 vaccination is administered via injection to the upper arm, you should wear clothing with short-sleeves or sleeves that are loose enough to be rolled up.

  After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you will be monitored for adverse reactions on-site for at least 15 minutes. In the case of a timed appointment, the entire process should take around 40 minutes to an hour. Afterward, you may choose to go home and rest.

  You may take paracetamol if you do develop side effects such as pain, fever, headache, or muscle aches after vaccination. However, if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of your face (including the eyes and lips) or throat, dizziness or a bad rash, seek medical attention immediately.

• What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

  According to Dr Adrian Chan, respiratory physician at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are similar to those of the influenza vaccine.

  
  

  These can range from mild symptoms such as pain at the injection site, fatigue and tiredness, muscle aches and chills, to more severe (but less common) symptoms such as fever and vomiting. There have been case reports of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), but based on current data so far, the overall incidence of such reactions is low.

  
  

• Who should take the COVID-19 vaccine?

  While COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore is voluntary, the government is encouraging all individuals who are medically eligible to be vaccinated when it is available. When more people in a community are vaccinated, the harder it is for a disease to spread.

• Who should not take the mRNA-based COVID-19?

  The COVID-19 vaccines are generally safe. However, individuals who had experienced an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to their first dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components should not receive the second dose of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.

  
  

  In addition, those who are severely immunocompromised should discuss their suitability for COVID-19 vaccination with their doctors. This includes individuals who have undergone a transplant within the past 3 months or are undergoing aggressive immunotherapy for non-cancer conditions.

  
  

  Those who are not advised to receive the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines should discuss with their doctors if they may receive the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines, which are now approved for use in Singapore under the Special Access Route (SAR).

• What is the Sinopharm vaccine and where can I get it?

  The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV) is the first China-made vaccine to be approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2020. It is an inactivated vaccine, a tried-and-tested form of vaccine technology used in other well-established vaccines, such as the flu and hepatitis B vaccines.

  
  

  The Sinopharm vaccine provides an alternative option for people in Singapore who have previously been found unsuitable to receive the mRNA options. (e.g. If a person has taken a dose of Pfizer/Moderna and has had an allergic reaction.) This is in line with efforts to enhance vaccination coverage against COVID-19 in Singapore.

  
  

  The recommended age for the Sinopharm vaccine is 18 years and older.

  
  

  As of 22 July 2021, IHH Healthcare Singapore has obtained approval from the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore to import the vaccine under the Special Access Route (SAR) scheme. The Sinopharm vaccine is priced at S$49.50 per dose, inclusive of GST.

  
  

  Please note that we are currently of stock for the Sinopharm vaccine. Stay tuned for more information as we work to replenish supplies.
  

• How effective is the Sinopharm vaccine?

  The Sinopharm vaccine’s efficacy rate is currently at 79% in preventing symptomatic infection in the multi-country Phase 3 trial. This can be compared to 51% for the Sinovac vaccine and 95% for the Pfizer-BioNTech / Cominarty vaccine.

  
  

  More studies are required to prove the BBIBP-CorV’s efficacy against COVID-19 variants.

  
  

  Learn more about the Sinopharm vaccine and its efficacy.

• Is the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO)?

  The Sinopharm vaccine was approved for use by the China’s National Medical Products Administration in December 2020 and gained the World Health Organisation’s approval for emergency use in May 2021.

  
  

  It was developed by the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products (BBIBP) and is the first China-made COVID-19 vaccine approved by the WHO for emergency use.

  
  

  Here are 5 things you should know about the Sinopharm vaccine.

• What is the difference between the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines?

  Both the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines are inactivated vaccines.

  
  

  The Sinopharm vaccine, however, has been proven to be 79% effective in preventing symptomatic symptomatic disease, compared to 51% for the Sinovac vaccine.

• What are the common side effects of the Sinopharm vaccine?

  The most common side-effects of the Sinopharm vaccine are pain at the injection site, headache, and fatigue. Most side-effects reported were mild to moderate. However, two serious side effects may possibly be linked to the vaccine – serious nausea, and acute disseminated encephalomyelities, a neurological disorder involving inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

• If I’ve taken one of the other vaccines, can I still register and take the Sinopharm vaccine?

  Yes, you may register your interest and proceed to take the Sinopharm vaccine.

• Is the COVID-19 vaccine effective? Why are vaccinated individuals still contracting COVID-19?

  Based on current data, the mRNA vaccines are found to be effective. Pfizer-BioNTech / Comirnaty’s vaccine has a reported 95% effectiveness while Moderna’s has charted a 94% efficacy.

  
  

  The Sinovac vaccine efficacy, which uses inactivated vaccine technology, has been found to be at 51%. The Sinopharm vaccine has a reported 79% effectiveness.

  
  

  Dr Leong Hoe Nam, infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, advises: “No vaccine is 100% effective, but they do help to reduce the severity of the illness – from a severe one to a moderate or mild one, or one with no symptoms at all. In this way, it can convert a deadly viral infection into a harmless common cold.”

  
  

  Learn more about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

• Is the COVID-19 vaccine similar to a flu vaccine?

  Both vaccines target different viruses. Therefore, it is recommended that while we protect ourselves against COVID-19, it is also prudent to protect ourselves against influenza by vaccinating ourselves with the influenza vaccine.

• Are vaccines effective against new strains of the virus?

  Yes, but the efficacy is not the same.

  
  

  Dr Leong stresses on the importance of getting vaccinated: “If you didn’t get the vaccine [and become infected with COVID-19 virus] you may end up more severely ill, and more likely to die.”

  
  

  Learn more on the virulence of the new COVID-19 variants and the effectiveness of vaccines here.

• Can I stop wearing masks after vaccination?

  COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% effective. Time is also needed for more people to receive the vaccination, and some individuals may be unable to take the coronavirus vaccines or do not wish to do so. For these reasons, it is recommended to continue current safety practices such as regular hand washing and sanitisation, wearing your masks, and keeping to social distancing measures.